Short-sighted cutbacks

From Jenny Jones, Garnette Bowler, Michael Harper, The Green Party:-

THREE Rehabilitation Day Centres for Wirral residents who have multiple disability, face serious cut backs in their budgets, amounting to £71,000 per year.

These centres are provided by the Social Services Department of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council and recently we have met some of the users at the Bebington Centre.

Naturally they are worried about the impact of the proposed cutbacks in funding and what the future holds for them.

These centres are a lifeline for people who would otherwise be confined to their homes. Services such as these not only improve the quality of life but operate as the means to prevent the need for more expensive residential or hospital care.

It would seem reasonable to assume that cuts in staffing and services are therefore not only imposing more stress on disabled people in great need but extremely short-sighted in financial terms.

Careful use of public spending is obviously important; but we would point out that any of us at any time could find ourselves in need of such important services provided by these Day Centres.

If any reader shares the concern of the Centres' users we are sure that Wirral's Social Services Department would be interested in hearing from you.

4 Belfield Drive,

Birkenhead

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