No apology over adult care

12:27pm Monday 12th May 2008

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THE new leader of Harrow Council has refused to apologise to residents affected by more than nine months of uncertainty over adult care.

Councillors decided to withdraw care for patients with substantial needs on July 25 last year.

But the policy was never implemented because of a judicial review brought on behalf of several service users.

Councillor David Ashton, the leader of the council, said: "Let's assume that we'd raised the issue last spring and it hadn't gone to judicial review.

"Some people with substantial needs wouldn't have been provided services. That's a situation where we could have been apologetic, but it hasn't happened."

Cllr Ashton announced, last week, patients with substantial needs could be given care for the next three years, under plans due to go before cabinet on Thursday, May 15.

If the proposals are approved, patients receiving care will be able to rely on continuing care for the first time since the original decision was made.

The plans will also change the way elderly and disabled people are supported by the council, giving them more control over how money is spent.

The council already uses a system, known as direct payments, which gives patients a budget to spend on care of their choice.

The new plans will extend the scheme to other areas of care and could see the council funding holidays abroad for people who would usually be sent to respite homes in Britain.

Councillor Barry MacLeod-Cullinane, who is responsible for adult services at the council, said: "It's one of those policy proposals that will deliver what it says on the tin, which is better quality of life."

The council plans to have 100 residents on the scheme by the Autumn and hopes around half the total number of people who get care will be using it in three years time.

He said nobody would be forced into using it but the system would be offered to all new patients.

Cllr Ashton said the decision to withdraw care was made because the council was short of money and has now been reversed because the financial situation has improved.

He said the new plan will cost more money but the council can afford to make the investment.

The council has said it is working with a number of charities, which represent elderly and disabled people, including Harrow Mencap and Harrow Association of Disabled People.