Friday, October 28, 2011

BBC NEWS -Bristol father's threat over disabled care centre closures

Bristol father's threat over disabled care centre closures

A Bristol man has said he would consider leaving his disabled son at the city council's headquarters if his day care centre is closed.

Ivor Needs said he would leave Matthew, 36, who has severe brain damage, with the receptionist if the council was unable to provide alternative care.

His son spends five days a week in the care of St George Field View.

A Bristol City Council spokesman said Mr Needs's son would continue to get the best care possible.

St George Field View is one of seven day care centres currently under review by the Liberal Democrat-led authority.

Mr Needs said he had written to the council stating that they should not shut the day centres as they are a "lifeline for all vulnerable people".

"[Mathew] needs his five days at the day centre and if they close it what is going to happen to him?" he said.

"I will bring him down here at 09:00 BST, leave him with the receptionist and say 'he's your responsibility, I will be back at 16:00 BST' - and I would."

Council cabinet member for health services, Dr Jon Rogers, said that it was vital Mr Needs's son received the right care and offered "absolutely categorical assurances" it would continue.

"What I cannot do is guarantee that Matthew's day service needs will continue to be met in exactly the same way that they have been for the last 12 years," he added.

"Care services in Bristol [and the rest of the country] are changing."

Mr Needs described the care of his son as a "full-time job" and questioned why council cuts had to be made to services that affected vulnerable people.

"He has got to be dressed because he can't dress himself, he can't do up his shoelaces, he can't see to his toilet requirements - I've got to see to all of that," he said.

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