Free Press News

Over 1000 sign care home petition

9:37am Thursday 11th March 2010

MORE than 1,000 people signed a petition – handed to Monmouthshire County Council – to save Budden Crescent Respite Care Home from controversial closure.

As well as the names of those who stay at home, parent-carers and nei-ghbours, the 1014-signature petition inclu-des tutors, lea-rning officers, councillors and church leaders.

Signatories include Reverend Barry English and Reverend Chris Blanchard of St Mary’s Church in Chepstow and Cllrs Ron Stewart, Jim Higginson, John Marshall and Armand Watts.

The petition was organised by Margaret Williamson of Tutshill, whose daughter uses Budden Crescent, and was handed to the council by Cllr Stewart on Thursday.

Cllr Stewart told councillors: “Budden Crescent has been a lifeline to parent-carers who can leave their dependents there in the knowledge that they will be happy and well and competently looked after. It is a welcome break for parent-carers whose adult children need 24-hours-a-day attention.”

A cover letter argues the social services report into respite care in Monmouthshire: l Shows a lack of insight into the needs of care of both adults with learning difficulties and their parents.

l Contains jargon.

l Is flawed in its expectation that parent-carers should accept respite options which have not yet been specified.

l Fails to take into account the needs of future users.

Rev. Blanchard said: “I want to support my parishioners who feel very strongly about this.”

Monmouthshire Council said the proposed closure is still under consultation, but conceded the withdrawal of Torfaen Council from Budden Crescent means it is no longer cost-effective to run the home in the way it currently is.

*See letter from Mr and Mrs Lewis

• Email this page