‘Time bomb’ care warning

Apr 15 2009 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL’S care home provision for people with dementia has fallen by almost a quarter during the past five years.

The reduction in places is the largest drop on Merseyside.

And a councillor has warned that the situation is “a potential time bomb”.

The figures, uncovered by the Conservative party, show a 24% fall in Wirral between 2004 and 2008 – meaning 157 fewer places at care homes for older people with dementia or mental disorder.

The issue has been a major issue in Wirral, where the council had proposed a cut in fees to nursing homes, as well as halting the annual rise to compensate for increasing costs.

Wirral Tory Cllr Tony Pritch-ard, who has taken up the issue, said: “People are living longer and we should be able to cater for them – but instead we have the council trying to cull the numbers of homes by reducing the fees paid to them and saying they have too much spare capacity.”

A spokesman for Wirral said the authority was aware of the increasing numbers of people in Wirral with dementia and were taking positive steps to offer greater support. He said: “Working in partnership, Wirral Council is targeting resources towards increasing the numbers of those being supported to live in their own homes. This approach is generally supported by representative groups such as Age Concern Wirral and Wirral’s Older People’s Parliament.

“Wirral Council is committed to developing alternatives to re-sidential care by offering community-based alternatives.

“For example Cherrytrees, in Moreton, is an extra care shel-tered housing scheme offering accommodation and support to 13 people with dementia, as an alternative to residential care, allowing them to remain in their local community for as long as possible.”