Council in storm over respite care proposals

Following a stormy meeting with relatives, Hull Council insisted there were no plans to close the 12-bed Pennine Centre, on north Bransholme.

Opposition Labour councillors say the proposals to axe beds emerged in the Council's budget proposals and would have saved 300,000.

Councillor Mary Glew (Lab) who attended Friday's meeting said: "I've been to some stormy Council meetings but this beat us hollow. The relatives wouldn't give an inch. They did themselves proud.

"They were extremely eloquent. They said they desperately needed the service and people should try and spend a week in their lives to know what it is like caring for someone emotionally or physically, someone who has had a head injury or stroke damage.

"It physically wears you down. Carers need a complete break."

Coun Glew accused the Liberal Democrats of putting up a smoke screen by talking of expanding daycare but wanting to close respite beds.

In a statement Lib Dem portfolio holder Coun Steven Baker denied that the centre would close by March 31 "as some people may have been led to believe".

He said the Council would continue respite care from the centre but were looking at how to use empty beds more effectively.

"We would like to confirm that all options are being taken into consideration to make the service more effective, which also includes a potential expansion of the day care services, but options have yet to be explored.

"When such proposals are at a stage to be discussed we intend to consult with people who use the service, their carers and key partners."