Care campaign gathers strength (From Western Telegraph)

Care campaign gathers strength

The Pembrokeshire Parents and Carers Association (Learning Disability) is backing the Western Telegraphs campaign for better respite care facilities for disabled children in the county.

Pembrokeshire County Council plans to close the present respite care centre at Portfield Special School, Haverfordwest, and open new facilities. But there is anger that parents on a steering group were only asked to give their view on the new respite accommodation at Trafalgar Road, Haverfordwest, two months after construction began.

The four-bedroom bungalow is part of a Pembrokeshire Housing Association development.

Parents expressed concern at the location of the bungalow, which is adjacent to the main Haverfordwest to St Davids Road, the fact that there is no garden and that the accommodation itself is inadequate as it has to cater not just for pupils of Portfield School but also disabled children throughout the county.

The secretary of the Parents and Carers Association Joan Ward, of St Ishmaels, said in a letter to the Western Telegraph: We were shocked to read that the replacement building has reached the stage of almost completion before parents were consulted or allowed to participate.

The immediate environment is unsuitable. It will not provide for the present need. The accommodation is less than that provided at Portfield for both children and staff.

It has already been acknowledged that the Portfield facilities are not adequate and additional provision to six bedrooms needs to be made. We urge strongly that Portfield remains open until appropriate additional accommodation in terms of numbers can be provided.

Copies of the letter have been sent by Mrs Ward to Pembrokeshire County Councils director of social services Mr Jon Skone, local MP Jackie Lawrence and AM Dr Richard Edwards, county councillor Roy Folland, who is responsible for health and well-being and county councillor Bill Hitchings.

Joan Ward said she was appreciative of the campaign to help parents and families continue their caring roles.

They already live with stress, she added.