The national charity, Action on Elder Abuse, has responded with dismay at the decision by Devon County Council to withdraw services for its older community. In a memo to managers the council’s Deputy Director for Social Services has given an instruction that facilities classified as ancillary, such as shopping, cleaning, pet care and fresh meal preparation, are no longer to be provided. The Deputy Director has made the order in an attempt to deal with a projected budget shortfall.

Said Les Bright for Action on Elder Abuse, "We know from calls to the helpline that many older people, particularly those in rural areas, can become very isolated and a visit from the person who helps with shopping or food preparation may be the only contact they have with the outside world. These services offer a lifeline to people who want to maintain their independence but need that little bit of extra support.

Its very disappointing that Devon Social Services has picked on amenities for older people in a bid to prevent an overspend of their budget and its ironic that this follows on so swiftly after a government consultation about the future of social services where preventative work is seen to be so important. That Green Paper, Independence, Well-being and Choice, maps out a way forward in which these sorts of activities are recognised as playing a key role in enabling people to live independently.

The order to withhold services would also appear to fly in the face of DH guidance to local authorities which states that decisions should not be taken on the basis of resources.

We shall be writing to Devon County Council as a matter of urgency".

ENDS