The decision to close two day-care centres in Wrexham have been condemned by Plaid Cymru.
Wrexham County Borough Council’s Executive Board today agreed that the Plas yn Rhos in Rhosllanerchrugog and Caia Day Care Centres would close.
Various Executive Board members referred to the cuts from the Welsh Government as justification for the closures.
However Plaid Cymru’s Mabon ap Gwynfor said that the closures was the wrong answer to the question of how best to care for an increasingly elderly population.
Mabon ap Gwynfor said: “This is a real blow for the elderly people in Wrexham and their families. The Executive Board claims that these proposals will save the council money – just £47,000 a year according to the figures provided in the report. However I am seriously concerned that the alternative that will be put in place will hurt our elderly population.
“The council wants to introduce more home care, yet it is likely that these carers will not be paid travelling time and will be on strict targets, meaning that the individuals that need assistance will end up being neglected because of the impossible strain put on the carers.
“Furthermore, I have heard nothing about what the council will do to provide respite care for the families of those who use the service.
“We accept that this was a difficult decision for members of the Executive Board, however I do not accept that it is simply down to austerity and cuts, because this is a pattern that we have seen across the UK with county councils everywhere becoming service commissioners, not providers. This is dangerous and potentially puts the well-being of our elderly population at risk. They deserve better.”
Mabon ap Gwynfor 