November 7: Invaluable service at the care centre
I write regarding the proposed potential closures of old people's homes and centres for the disabled in the county.
Once again it seems that the most vulnerable people will have to pay the price of economic mismanagement. I suppose that these people are an easier option, as most of them have a limited ability to speak out and fight back.
I'm particularly concerned about the Nene Centre in Bedford Road as I happen to know many of the service users and staff, and I know what an invaluable service is presently provided. Anyone who should speak to the service users will realise that their time at the Nene Centre is in many cases the focal point of their lives, where they can both carry out useful work and socialise with friends of many years.
The families and carers will also be losers as, while service users attend the Nene Centre, they are able to get on with their own lives.
You might say that alternative places will be offered at other centres but this is not the point, as closure would bring to an end the social interaction and trusts built up over many years making the service users lives and their families become a lot poorer.
I think that any advocates of closure should spend a few days with staff and service users before such a rash decision is made.
Name and address supplied but withheld by request.
No decision has been made yet
I am writing following the coverage on Wednesday about our recommendations for the future of the 10 remaining council-owned residential care homes for older people.
These recommendations include plans for more specialist dementia care centres and new extra care housing in the county, as well proposals to close those care homes which are no longer fit for purpose. They have been produced following public consultation which took place during the summer.
I think it is worth making clear that at this stage, the cabinet is being asked to make a decision in principle about these recommendations. It will not be a final decision, and no decision has been made yet about the future of the care homes.
If next week's report is agreed, a final cabinet member decision will only be made following work to carry out risk assessments and further consultation at each site with residents and their families.
This work is part of our efforts to improve the quality and availability of residential, nursing and dementia care for the increasing number of older people in the county, to ensure they have access to the care and facilities they both need and deserve.
Councillor Robin Brown,
cabinet member for health and adult social services, Northamptonshire County Council.
Council looks after the abbey
I must correct a statement in your November 4 edition. The committee of the Friends of Delapre Abbey (FoDA) do not "look after historic Delapre Abbey".
The premises are owned, managed and maintained by Northampton Borough Council.
The Delapre Abbey Preservation Trust, of which I am the chairman, has been working for the past two years with consultants to produce options’ appraisals for the future of the abbey and parkland. These are about to be presented to the borough and will then be in the public domaine.
It is likely that future developments will be managed by a partnership between the trust and the borough council, and it is anticipated that FoDA will have a role to play.
Derek Batten,
chairman,
Delapre Abbey Preservation Trust.
Drivers force cyclists on paths
Further to the letter about cycling on the pavement, I would like to reply from a cyclist’s point of view.
I don’t cycle on the pavement, but I can see why many people do. Cars pull out of junctions without looking properly, open doors in front of cyclists, many drivers ignore the cycle lanes (such as they are), or drive too close, and my personal favourite is the driver that overtakes you only to cut you up by then turning left.
When cycling on the road is perceived to be dangerous or at best risky, parents will encourage children to ride on the pavement – and adults of a nervous persuasion will also do so.
Add in the fact that some pavements are dual-use cycle paths as well, and you throw in an element of confusion as to the legality of it. If you permit people to cycle on some paths, you really are sending a message that it’s OK to cycle on all paths.
The only answer is to make cycling on the roads safer, which means better law enforcement against careless and dangerous drivers who injure, maim and kill cyclists and get away with it. But like V Graham-Hole, I am not holding my breath.
Ruth Fitch (Miss),
Regent Street, Kettering.
Disabled hit by energy costs
NOT only are cancer patients at risk because of spiralling energy costs but so are most disabled people. My son never anticipated that he would need to have heating on all day when he was a working man, but since being disabled due to a stroke that has left him paralysed down his right side, he feels the cold dreadfully.
Mrs Sally Jameson,
Brookside, Weedon Bec.
Sound complaint fell on deaf ears
I APPLAUD John Wright’s letter (October 29) on the cacophony of sound during the Legendary Gypsy Queens and Kings concert. It seems that it is fashionable to have performances played at an unacceptable level of sound at both theatres and cinemas.
My wife and I used to enjoy going to these venues but hardly ever now as everything is so loud.
Our last visit to the Royal was to see The Hound of the Baskervilles, however our enjoyment was spoilt by the ear-splitting theme music. When we asked the stage manager if the sound could be turned down, our request fell on deaf ears.
J Tanti,
Brashland Drive, East Hunsbury, Northampton.
Cash for army
Thank you very much to all who gave so generously to the Salvation Army’s door-to-door collection in the eastern districts of Northampton. A total of 6,232.63 was raised to support the work of the Salvation Army’s social services in the UK.
Many thanks for your help in this matter.
Captain Kevin Pitt,
Salvation Army, Northampton.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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