EMBARGO: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    DATE: 16 SEPTEMBER 2009

UNIONS TO LOBBY NORTHUMBERLAND COUNCILLORS ON DAY CENTRE CLOSURES

Trade unions, including UNISON, the UK's largest public sector union, will be lobbying Northumberland councillors on Thursday (17^th September) in protest at proposals to close seven day care centres for the elderly in the county.

Unions say that the day care service is a lifeline to hundreds of older people throughout Northumberland, giving them a chance to take part in group activities with people of the same age. In many cases a visit to the centre is the only contact an elderly person has with others during the week.  The proposals being considered by the council will close all seven day care centres and encourage users to use self-directed support and personal budgets.

A final decision will be taken at the full council meeting to be held at County Hall, Morpeth at 4.00pm on Thursday.

Tony Martin, UNISON Regional Officer, said today

"If the day centres are closed this will have an effect on the 44 staff who work in them and this is obviously of concern to us as trade unions.  However, we are also concerned about the effect on the people who use the service. Moving to personal budgets could mean that people are employed on casual terms and conditions leading to concerns over health and safety practices.

We need the council to keep local authority controlled day care centres and to set a standard of excellence of care".