Council apology over dementia carers' distress

A council has apologised after withdrawing dementia respite services at short notice as some carers said they were given only a fortnight's warning, with no alternatives in place.

Dudley Council said they have now put in place "a temporary support arrangement of up to 12 weeks" for a small number of individuals and carers experiencing "significant impact or distress".

Carers welcomed the news but criticised the authority's decision-making process.

One of them, Lydna Austin, said: "Why would you shut a service, why would you do that, say you are looking at how to do services better, and not engage with the people who use it?"

Her partner John, who has early onset dementia, has attended respite sessions at the Crystal Gateway Centre in Amblecote for three years.

Last year, campaigners successfully fought to keep the centre open.

The sessions were her only break from providing full-time care, Austin said.

Earlier this month she was given two weeks' notice that the sessions would close.

She welcomed the temporary arrangements and an invite to take part in shaping future services, but said the withdrawal should never have happened.

"I think the local authority has done the right thing," she added, but she believed the action had only been taken due to adverse publicity.

The council saw that some people and their careers needed extra support "while longer-term arrangements are explored", councillor Andrea Goddard said.

She stressed that community hubs, including Crystal Gateway, have remained open and the former Dementia Gateway service was "one element of a wider offer".

"This is not a reinstatement of the former day service, which is no longer part of the council's service offer," Goddard said.

"The temporary arrangements have been introduced to support a small number of affected individuals while further discussions, assessments and support planning take place."

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