CAMPAIGNERS battling to save a Kidderminster respite care unit from closure have branded the consultation process a “sham” following a tense meeting with council bosses.
Amanda Danby, whose son Mason attends Ludlow Road Short Breaks centre, met with Worcestershire County Council’s head of commissioning Debbie Herbert to press the case for retaining the facility.
She and Wyre Forest Labour’s Ben Davies and Stephen Brown – who also attended the meeting – submitted documents including an emotional letter featuring the views of worried parents as part of their ongoing campaign.
And they also told Mrs Herbert that they believed parents were being “pressurised” in one-to-one consultations, where they were asked ‘yes or no’ questions on whether they agreed with alternative provision to Ludlow Road.
The authority began a consultation into the future of Ludlow Road earlier this year with one option being to axe it. Bosses stressed this process is ongoing and all views will be taken into account.
Mr Brown described the meeting as ‘frosty’ and claimed Mrs Herbert had initially only wanted to go through the consultation document and relay their plans, before eventually relenting at the campaigners’ insistence.
He said: “What is becoming clear is that this Council consultation is a sham.
“It’s about pressurising vulnerable families and by default, their disabled children, into accepting the alternatives the Council prefer to present so they can save money.
“At the same time, the council is dressing it up as something the parents are happy to accept and as being appropriate care plans. Well parents are not happy about it and neither are campaigners.
“Let me make it quite clear to the council that if they continue down this path and do end up closing Ludlow Road, and on the false premise that it’s what parents want, it won’t be the end of the matter. We are prepared to take this fight as far as it needs to go
“The parents collective letter is heart wrenching and says everything that needs to be said about why Ludlow Road should stay open. Any decision to close Ludlow Road will be borne of callous indifference to the plight of the disabled children and their families.
“The council should pull out all the stops to keep Ludlow Road open.”
Councillor Andy Roberts, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Children and Families, said: “We’re in consultation over the future of overnight unit based short break services in Worcestershire, including those delivered at the unit in Ludlow Road.
“We have already held many activities during the consultation period. We have had individual meetings with 18 families who currently access the services at Ludlow Road.
“All views from the consultation will be taken into account before a decision is made. If anyone would like to contribute there is still time to do so. To comment go to www.worcestershire.gov.uk/SENDupdates.”
Article originally appeared on Worcester News
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