OK - got a copy of the local paper. About a half page piece, unfortunately NOT on the front page, but on page 4.
It sets out the situation pretty clearly, states the reason why I tried to book respite, says about the offer to extend Mils day care on the upcomming date when I tried to book it for (so we could attend a show youngest is in) and does mention carers 'burning out' without the provision of regular respite breaks - it harps on a bit about me being an 'ex-professional' carer, which I don't think is relevant, but otherwise is not bad - though I would have liked to see it presented in a more hard hitting manner.
The bit that has really angered me is the response from (and I'm giving details because its published in the paper for all to see, so I don't think I'd be breaking any rules) Andrew Figiel, Wrexhams head of Adult Social Care/Director of Social Services, who says he 'understands concerns raised about the availability of respite care for people with dementia'
Quoted directly from the paper
"Respite Care is available for people with dementia and we never decline requests for respite care as there are options available"
(So when, on the multiple occasions I have spoken to social workers, CPN's, councillors, care homes, and staff from adult services, have I repeatedly been told that no, nobody knows of any respite beds that are available for booking or how exactly I can organise respite? Exactly What are these options?? Because no one has been able to tell me what they are or how I access them)
He goes on to add that there is no shortage of funding, and that they are currently "reviewing our commisssioning of planned respite care so we can plan better in future, so there is a greater certainty of beds available" - what he doesn't say is that whilst they are reviewing, they are not commissioning beds and have stopped the booking of respite for all 'new' users of the local authority care home that they are in the process of closing. He also doesn't say that this has been the situation, with no one who hasn't previously used this specific home being able to book respite, for the last 18 months at least!
He comments on dementia being an 'increasing demand', that they are 'working on', that this includes the 'block booking of respite beds with providers' (Again - doesn't say when or who with? Or at any point admit even that this isn't happening right now); insists that funding is not an issue, that council budget cuts have had 'no impact whatsoever on these services or any service we provide for these people who are vulnerable and assessed as being in need" - but that ignores the fact that as they are not block booking beds, as they are not covering the costs for any 'new' none-self funding clients (i.e. those that were not using the service at the time they stopped accepting new bookings) and are now choosing not to comission beds in the private sector, what has happened to the funds that are supposedly available for this service in the budget?
He addss that he and Cllr Joan Lowe were 'more than happy' to meet with me to discus the 'situation and future plans'. REALLY??? First I've heard of it! Will be seeing now how easy that is to set up, especially given that I am STILL waiting for Figiels 'second in command' to phone me, as I was promised he would do, at the beginning of the week!
Its nothing but a load of rubbish - same old, same old - yep, they will reccommend respite, yes they will pay the actual cost of it - but a refusal to admit that there is nowhere, no facility at all, that you can book a respite break in.
ARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHH
"
It sets out the situation pretty clearly, states the reason why I tried to book respite, says about the offer to extend Mils day care on the upcomming date when I tried to book it for (so we could attend a show youngest is in) and does mention carers 'burning out' without the provision of regular respite breaks - it harps on a bit about me being an 'ex-professional' carer, which I don't think is relevant, but otherwise is not bad - though I would have liked to see it presented in a more hard hitting manner.
The bit that has really angered me is the response from (and I'm giving details because its published in the paper for all to see, so I don't think I'd be breaking any rules) Andrew Figiel, Wrexhams head of Adult Social Care/Director of Social Services, who says he 'understands concerns raised about the availability of respite care for people with dementia'
Quoted directly from the paper
"Respite Care is available for people with dementia and we never decline requests for respite care as there are options available"
(So when, on the multiple occasions I have spoken to social workers, CPN's, councillors, care homes, and staff from adult services, have I repeatedly been told that no, nobody knows of any respite beds that are available for booking or how exactly I can organise respite? Exactly What are these options?? Because no one has been able to tell me what they are or how I access them)
He goes on to add that there is no shortage of funding, and that they are currently "reviewing our commisssioning of planned respite care so we can plan better in future, so there is a greater certainty of beds available" - what he doesn't say is that whilst they are reviewing, they are not commissioning beds and have stopped the booking of respite for all 'new' users of the local authority care home that they are in the process of closing. He also doesn't say that this has been the situation, with no one who hasn't previously used this specific home being able to book respite, for the last 18 months at least!
He comments on dementia being an 'increasing demand', that they are 'working on', that this includes the 'block booking of respite beds with providers' (Again - doesn't say when or who with? Or at any point admit even that this isn't happening right now); insists that funding is not an issue, that council budget cuts have had 'no impact whatsoever on these services or any service we provide for these people who are vulnerable and assessed as being in need" - but that ignores the fact that as they are not block booking beds, as they are not covering the costs for any 'new' none-self funding clients (i.e. those that were not using the service at the time they stopped accepting new bookings) and are now choosing not to comission beds in the private sector, what has happened to the funds that are supposedly available for this service in the budget?
He addss that he and Cllr Joan Lowe were 'more than happy' to meet with me to discus the 'situation and future plans'. REALLY??? First I've heard of it! Will be seeing now how easy that is to set up, especially given that I am STILL waiting for Figiels 'second in command' to phone me, as I was promised he would do, at the beginning of the week!
Its nothing but a load of rubbish - same old, same old - yep, they will reccommend respite, yes they will pay the actual cost of it - but a refusal to admit that there is nowhere, no facility at all, that you can book a respite break in.
ARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHH
"