THE CHAIR of the Carers Action Group that has fought tirelessly to stop Pembrokeshire County Council plans to close Tenby’s Avenue Centre has spoken of the group’s relief that the consultation process has now been halted.

In a statement released this week Caroline Mason tells of the stress that the PCC’s plans placed upon the carers and families of those who attend the centre by the ‘flawed’ consultation process and thanks those who helped to get the consultation stopped. The statement read:

“First of all we would like to say a very big ‘thank you’ to everyone involved in supporting and helping the Action Group in halting the consultation process to close the Avenue Centre, Tenby. The support from so many local people was completely overwhelming. From the organising and signing of the petition to the many letters of support from Assembly members and Members of Parliament and their admin staff, they all gave us the courage to go on fighting.

“Many local councillors played a key part and we valued their support. Tenby Town Council responded to our plea for help and hosted an open meeting in the De Valence, which gave a very strong message and the point was forcibly made that public opinion was strongly against the closure of the Avenue Centre Tenby.

“Having fought so hard, carers and their families were so relieved after the consultation was halted. It’s been an extremely stressful time for all concerned and we are slowly getting over the shock of it all.

“Sadly any trust we had is now completely gone.

“A lot of damage has been done to carers, the vulnerable people who attend the centre and the staff who have had to bear the brunt of it all.

“If we are to move forward carers and their cared for must have a recognised voice in the planning of services. There has been no carer’s forum for well over 5 years. The Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 clearly states that carers for the very first time ever will have rights and should be assessed and involved in the planning of services. People with a learning disability will also have a far greater choice in how their services are delivered.

“Clearly this has not happened, and the deeply flawed consultation process showed that carers and their cared for had not had proper assessments for many years. Information given to CSSIW has not been accurate and did not portray the true picture of learning disabilities in Pembrokeshire.

“Pamela Marsden stated that a range of meetings will now take place with service users/carers and stakeholders over the next few months agreeing a service provision and developing a shared vision and plan to undertake further consultation in the future which will involve all three centres and be in the wider context of a review of learning disabilities across Pembrokeshire.

“From the very beginning it was clear that the gap between the Director and her officers and their lack of understanding of the needs of longterm multi carers and the vulnerable people with complex needs they care for, was very wide and they showed no empathy or understanding of our heavy caring roles.

“This caused great distress to all involved and many suffered health problems brought on by the fear that was generated.

“Unless carers are cared for and the staff at the Avenue Centre are properly recognised and are truly and fully involved in the planning of services, it will be totally meaningless to all concerned. We have lost all confidence in how things are being done and need to find a way forward.

“In the absence of a proper Carers Forum we the action group want to be recognised as the “Voice of Carers” in future planning of services in Pembrokeshire.

“We have enlisted the help of Wayne Crocker Director of Mencap Wales and advocacy from Dewis and other national bodies in the hope that we can work together and so find a way forward for the good of all.”