Former councillor fears she will end up in hospital if her care package is cut
Abergavenny Chronicle - 11th March 2004

A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer from Abergavenny has slammed Monmouthshire County Council’s decision to consider cutting its social services to people with ‘non-essential needs’, questioning how it determines who is deemed to have the greatest priority reports Laura Pike.

Widow Gillian James, aged 67 of Pegasus Court, has suffered from multiple sclerosis for 25 years and now faces losing the valuable domestic care she receives as a result of controversial cutbacks announced last week.

Due to a lack of funding and huge over-spends amounting to around £500,000 each year, the council will no longer provide basic care services, such as domestic help, to people who are deemed to be the least vulnerable amongst the authority’s users.

Mrs James, a former Abergavenny Town Councillor, described the whole process as ‘criminal’.

“Who the hell are they to come in and say what my needs are?” she said. “I was a nurse for 25 years and have certainly done my bit for society, yet this is how they repay me.

“I just don’t understand how they can prioritise people. If we are considered to be ‘non-essential’ then who do they deem to be those with the greatest need? “Instead of helping the vulnerable, they’re attacking the vulnerable. If my services are cut, I don’t know how I’ll cope. I’ll be in hospital within a week. “The whole thing is just criminal and I am even prepared to go as far as Parliament to stop this disgusting decision”.

Monya Wilkinson, head of community care at Monmouthshire, defended the council’s policy and said any decision to reduce care would only be taken after an extensive review.

“Over the next 12 months, social workers will start reviewing people’s individual circumstances to see if they are still eligible for the community care services we provide,” she said.

“Any decision to reduce care will only be taken after that review and in discussion with people concerned.

“We will also provide people with advice on how to get help andassistance from other providers in the voluntary and private sectors should their services be cut.

“The whole purpose is to sustain and safeguard the crucial care provided to people with the greatest need and in reality, only a very small number of people will actually be affected”.

Anyone who disagrees with the outcome of their review will be able to appeal to Monmouthshire County Council’s director of social services, Colin Berg.

Related articles:

12th Feb` 04 - MCC’s social services chief defends costs described as ‘criminal’ by service user
11th Mar` 04 - Former councillor fears she will end up in hospital if her care package is cut

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