LETTER - ELDERLY CARE (04/04/02)

Dear Editor,

In response to Mr Dyer's letter regarding elderly care in Somerset (29/3/02).

The fact that there has been a loss of over 300 beds last year in Somerset, through the closure of six nursing homes, is a major cause for concern.

It is all too easy to blame current problems on previous governments. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that it is as a direct result of underfunding from this Labour Government that many smaller homes have been forced to close. In addition, Labour's confusing and inflexible directives on regulations, which will be applied to standards in Residential and Nursing Homes, (Care Standards Act 2000), mean that many elderly people are now forced into nursing homes further away from their loved ones.

However, let us not forget that it is the County Council, under the control of the Liberal Democrats since 1992, that have responsibility for care homes in Somerset. It is their duty to prioritise budget allocations to ensure adequate provision is made for elderly care. The Conservative group pushed for the extra £2.6 million investment this year in social services, exoressly for this need. However, we reserve the right, as the Conservative opposition group, to bring to public attention areas in which the Liberal Democrats are not performing. Also, it is necessary to point out the shortcomings of the Labour Government in not supporting basic frontline services, especially as ti affects our rural areas.

We also challenge the Liberal Democrats at County Hall to carry our a long overdue fundamental review of all base budgets, thereby safeguarding future provision of essential services, whilst checking the enormous Council Tax increases imposed year on year.

Responsibility must be taken. I stand by the Conservative belief that after a lifetime of hard work, our elderly people deserve excellent care and support, within their local communities. We will continue to strive to get extra provision for care homes. I trust that the majority of Somerset would be behind these principles.

Yours sincerely,

Elaine Waymouth

Conservative Spokesperson for Care and Safety