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Press and Journal
01-05-2025
- Health
- Press and Journal
United front in Fraserburgh as worried families speak out against proposed cuts to disability day centres
More than 100 people turned out to a public meeting in Fraserburgh to speak out against proposed cuts to Aberdeenshire disability day centres. Parents took the opportunity to vent their rage and frustration over Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership's proposals during the meeting at Fraserburgh Leisure Centre today. Those in attendance put on a united front wearing T-shirts that urged officials to 'save our day centres' and 'support disability rights'. One of those involved was Nireeca-Lee Mcnab, whose niece Isobel Ann, 55, has been attending the centre on Robertson Road for the past 34 years. Her social visits have already been cancelled and Nireeca-Lee revealed that Isobel Ann – who has Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome and is completely blind – thinks it is her own fault they no longer take place. 'She actually thinks she's done something wrong and every morning she tells us that she won't be bad anymore and she promises she will be good to get her socials back,' Nireeca-Lee said. 'She doesn't understand, as she's not got the capacity to realise that it's not her fault that this is happening.' At last month's meeting to discuss the potential changes at Fraserburgh Day Opportunities, The P&J was told by Isobel Ann's sister Nicola that her hours would be cut from five to three. However, after today's meeting, Nireeca-Lee is feeling more optimistic about the situation. She said: 'I feel it couldn't really have went any better to be honest. 'I feel like we've got some councilors who are going to try and do their bit to try and help us, and the more support we've got, the more noise and the more voices, I feel like change might happen.' Councillors were also invited to the public meeting so family members could ask them questions directly. Fraserburgh councillor James Adams told the audience that it was 'generally troubling to hear' that some people have lost services already, adding: 'It is unacceptable and is a shock to me. 'We'll push it up the tree and get answers.' It was also revealed councillors had not seen the questionnaire parents and guardians of the service users had received in advance, something which was described as a 'tick box exercise'. 'To me, it is not an acceptable questionnaire,' Mr Adams declared. Charlene Anderson Coltherd's 18-year-old daughter Erin – who has Down's syndrome and congestive heart failure – started at Fraserburgh Day Opportunities in June last year after leaving the complex additional support needs Westfield School in the town. Speaking to The P&J, Charlene said: 'Before she left, the school actually said to us, 'Erin will never be capable of going to college or work', so volunteering or anything like that would be totally unsuitable and the only option we had was Robertson Road.' Erin's parents have been told by a social worker her place at the centre is assured, however, nothing has been confirmed in writing. Charlene slated the authority for categorising people by their disability, with individuals with a 'profound and multiple learning disability' being prioritised for places. 'It's like going back in time, labelling folk again, which they were supposedly trying to get rid of,' Erin's mum said. Saddiq Ahmed, who in March gave a 'desperate plea' to Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership board members, believes the truth has been 'massaged' throughout the entire process. His son Alexander, who has autism and attends day services in Crimond, believes these potential cuts are pointless, as the council will still have to provide budgets for disabled people using their services. Saddiq said: 'They're basically saying, 'we're giving it out to them to spend in the community'. 'So why not use that money, as is already happening, to keep the facilities they have?' A final decision will be made on May 28. Last month, North Aberdeenshire partnership manager for Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership, Jeff Shaw said: 'I understand and can empathise with the concerns of families, however, I can reassure them that people with an assessed need will continue to receive support. 'Those with less profound needs may no longer meet the criteria to attend our day services and will be supported to access other services. 'No one will find their attendance at one of our day services stopped overnight. We will work with service users and families to ensure they get the right support to meet their needs. 'I understand that some people may be concerned about the increase in our fees. I can reassure everyone that we will work to ensure that there is no detriment to service users, due to the cost increase, at this time.'
Press and Journal
23-04-2025
- Health
- Press and Journal
Fraserburgh families devastated over disabled daycare cuts - saying changes will 'destroy' their loved ones
Families of disabled people who could be affected by drastic cuts to daycare services in Fraserburgh have slammed the proposals. Around 40 people turned up to a public meeting on Thursday – that was only arranged a day before – to vent their frustrations and anger at planned cuts to Aberdeenshire daycare centres. Fraserburgh Day Opportunities, which is located in the Robertson Road Resource Centre in the Buchan town, provides a service to adults with learning disabilities in Fraserburgh and the surrounding areas. Activities include baking, cooking, singing, swimming at Fraserburgh Leisure Centre and trampolining, amongst others. However, some of the services are now under threat as Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership looks to make cuts to services in order to save millions of pounds, with a decision to be made by the integrated joint board next month. Attending the meeting – held at the leisure centre – was Nicola McNabb, whose 55-year-old sister Isobel Ann has been attending the Robertson Road hub for 34 years, and is having her days cut from five to three. 'Robertson Road is all she knows, it's her work,' she told The Press and Journal. Her sister, who has Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome and retinitis Pigmentosa – meaning she is completely blind – as well as diabetes and kidney failure, has been going there for longer than all of the staff at Fraserburgh Day Opportunities Nicola said: 'The slightest thing can disrupt my sister's whole day. She thinks it's all her fault, she doesn't understand she's not to blame.' The review of day care services could mean the number of spaces available will be reduced, with those with a 'profound and multiple learning disability' being prioritised over others and there being a focus on 'care in the community'. The cost of day services will also increase, going from £48 to £148 per day. Nicola thinks the disabled community are being scapegoated by Aberdeenshire Council. 'They're an easy target,' she said. At the beginning of the process, it was confirmed that Isobel Ann did not have a space, but this changed after a letter from her doctor confirmed she had 'profound disabilities' and one from her kidney specialist. Regarding the latter, Nicola told The P&J: 'It said on it that she needs this centre to get out and about because it will physically kill her if she doesn't. 'She's in kidney failure as it is, she needs to be active, she needs to be stimulated and she won't get that at home.' Isobel Ann used to get four days of social time, where a carer picked her up at 3pm daily for two hours. They would go shopping, which would give her 'a purpose', however, that has now stopped. 'She's back to crying and thinking that she's doing something wrong and that the carers don't want to take her anymore,' Nicola said. Isobel Ann's sibling said that Fraserburgh Day Opportunities is 'all she knows' and the things they do are 'honestly unbelievable', with her being aghast at the proposals. Denise Macdonald's 28-year-old sister-in-law Ellie, who has Down's syndrome and a leaking heart valve, also attends the Robertson Road centre. Her mum passed away a couple of years ago, and Denise's brother John is now her legal guardian. Denise gave up her two jobs at Aberdeenshire Council to care of Ellie to let John work full-time. Ellie attends the centre five days a week and has been there for a 'lot of years'. For Ellie it's a job Monday to Friday and a purpose for her every morning,' her sister-in-law told The P&J. Denise said they will never put her into care as 'she's part of the family'. She admitted that if she did not get to continue going to Fraserburgh Day Opportunities, 'it would destroy her'. Ultimately, Ellie's carer believes the cuts are nothing but a 'cop out'. Alison Duthie, whose 19-year-old son Kristopher attends Robertson Road four days a week told The P&J that she is 'absolutely devastated with the cuts'. Kristopher, who has a severe living disability, is non-verbal, on a feeding tube and has a 'bad chest', has only been attending since August last year. He has 'absolutely loved it' according to his mum. Although his ongoing place at the centre has been confirmed, Alison is worried what the future will hold. 'If Kristopher didn't get Robertson Road, I am sure his mental health would definitely go down. I would be the same. 'That five hours a day is my time to do my cleaning or go out, or socialising. If I didn't have that time, I don't know how it would be. 'When Kristopher's there, that's my time.' Alison does not think the decision-makers know what it is like to look after a disabled person. 'It's 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even when you're sleeping. I don't even get a night's sleep,' she said. And despite her son getting a place, she thinks it is 'discrimination' that some will not. 'It's sheer discrimination what they're doing, because they're picking at their disability. 'They're all disabled, that's why they're there and why they can't work.' North Aberdeenshire partnership manager for Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership, Jeff Shaw said: 'I understand and can empathise with the concerns of families, however, I can reassure them that people with an assessed need will continue to receive support. 'Those with less profound needs may no longer meet the criteria to attend our day services and will be supported to access other services. 'No one will find their attendance at one of our day services stopped overnight. We will work with service users and families to ensure they get the right support to meet their needs. 'I understand that some people may be concerned about the increase in our fees. I can reassure everyone that we will work to ensure that there is no detriment to service users, due to the cost increase, at this time.' Another meeting will be held at Fraserburgh Leisure Centre on May 1 between 10am until 12pm, with a capacity of 200 being able to be accommodated for. Read more: All the Aberdeenshire health charges that could rocket amid savings plan
