Northumberland care charge revolt looms

Jun 23 2009 by David Black, The Journal

OLDER people in Northumberland are threatening a revolt against new charges for day centre care which are being brought in by the county’s cash-strapped super council.

Apart from meal and transport costs, attendance at day centres has been free for elderly and disabled people until now. But means-tested fees are being introduced to help County Hall bosses make savings on their adult care budget.

Day centre clients are being assessed and told how much they will have to contribute to their care each week, based on their income and savings.

Now some elderly people and their carers say they will refuse to pay and stop going to the centres.

The move comes in the same month Northumberland County Council announced plans to close day centres it runs in Amble, Bedlington, Blyth, Ponteland, Prudhoe, Hexham and Haltwhistle.

One of those affected by the new charges is retired miner and stroke victim Samuel Goodwin, 75, of Pont Street, Ashington, who attends the town’s day centre run by the St John Ambulance service twice a week.

He was assessed by Northumberland Care Trust last week and told he will have to pay £51 a week for the service.

Yesterday his son-in-law and main carer, Derek Hattle, 59, said: “Sammy could probably afford to pay this charge but he says he has worked all his life and paid his dues, so why should he have to start paying for it at 75? We don’t mind making a small contribution but I feel charging that amount for a single person is absolutely disgusting.