Jonathan Shaw MP, Minister for Disabled People, visited Disability Initiative, based in Camberley, on Tuesday 8th September 2009. With a new Green Paper published, Shaping the Future of Care Together, and public consultation underway, this was an opportune moment for the Minister to be put on the spot and hear the views and answer questions raised by the clients of Disability Initiative. A “round table” discussion was held at the centre that included clients, carers, staff, volunteers and working partners of DI as they drew Mr Shaw into challenging debate. The Government is looking to reform the current care and support system to establish a National Care Service that is fair, simple and affordable but there are some difficult choices that need to be made, hence the Big Care Debate consultation being held until 13th November 2009. This was DI’s chance to highlight some concerns. For example, why does the carer’s allowance cease at 65 when one draws a pension; why does it take so long, months, for funding to be forthcoming; why is it so difficult to get information from Adult Services about entitlement, to name but a few of the questions posed. Mr Shaw was then taken on a tour of the resource centre to meet the many clients participating in a wide variety of activities and outcome focussed programmes. Lucy Brown, Chief Executive of Disability Initiative comments, “I am sure that Mr Shaw has fully taken on board our concerns and has enjoyed meeting our clients today. We will ensure that our concerns are formally logged with the Department of Health and that we stay fully informed of progress as any changes are implemented”. |