Madam,

David Harries in his letter ‘need to replace outdated system of residential care’ (last week’s Cambrian News) raises some very good points in his rationale for change in the elderly care sector in Ceredigion.

Mr Harries asks the question ‘what sort of care would we wish to have for ourselves?’

My suspicion is the answer doesn’t reflect the current situation. For years, Ceredigion Social Services have been forced to implement brutal cuts imposed by a discredited policy of austerity.

I am certain that many of today’s residential care service users would, during Mr Harries’ long and accomplished career in Social Services, have been designated as requiring nursing care. Testiment to his argument that things do change.

One common occurrence 15 years ago would be that families would wait too long before seeking help from Social Services. Situations would have broken down. Now it seems that this level of dysfunction is the new starting point for services.

While I would take issue with Mr Harries’ placing of ‘workhouse’ next to ‘residential care’ as if inviting readers to see a direct comparison, I actually agree with the general point he raises.

I am quite open to the idea of developing more appropriate forms of care. I am not advocating that Bodlondeb home, in Aberystwyth, be kept open indefinitely but rather until a workable alternative is developed.

I would also like to address the eight county councillors who last Thursday voted to recommend the closure of Bodlondeb.

What if I were a plumber who came to their home and said: “Your bath is old and needs a new coat of enamel. In fact, baths are out of fashion. I will take away your old bath and bring you a nice new shower. I can take the bath away tomorrow but it may be six, nine, 18 months before I can bring the shower. But don’t worry, I can see you have neighbours, ask if you can use their bath, or even catch the bus to the local gym.”

I’m sure the reaction of the councillors would, at the very least, be: “It’s better I keep the old bath until the new shower arrives.”

In fact, it would be difficult not to see that this was a ludicrous proposition.

Yours etc,

George Holloway, Rhoshendre, Waunfawr, Aberystwyth.

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