THOUGH we appreciate that the county council has financial difficulties and also understand that Harewood House may not be up to the standards required for residential accommodation for 2014 and beyond, our concern is for the elderly people in Tavistock who both currently need the full range of services provided at Harewood House and also those who may have such a need in the future.

We are also aware of the reduction in attendance at day centres which is partially reflected by the increased use of personal budgets for those requiring services which they can use at a variety of locations depending on their individual preference.

At the meeting on March 12 relating to day care services, it was evident that officers of Devon County Council were not fully aware of the lack of potential alternative provision within the Tavistock area.

However, those attending did appreciate the care and concern expressed by officers to safeguard the care of the vulnerable people whom they are entrusted to serve.

When the officers' reports are conveyed to councillors, we would encourage our councillors to confirm a) where within Tavistock the day care services will be provided given that TASS and other agencies are already stretched to capacity; b) whether there are sufficient vacant beds in existing care homes in Tavistock to accommodate those receiving respite or full time residential care at Harewood House and also c) which locations in the Tavistock area will be able to provide the dementia care to the standards and capacity required for future decades in what is proclaimed to be a dementia friendly town?

There may be a variety of opinions as to who should provide the necessary care services, but what is non-negotiable is that the services should be available locally, at the standard of care that we would expect for ourselves and our loved ones.

We are encouraged that consultations as to the way forward are now being publicly discussed and that it is proposed that individual care plans are to be discussed with service users and relatives.

However, we remain to be reassured that officers and councillors charged with the delivery of public services (whether provided through public bodies or private and voluntary services) are aware of the lack of realistic resources within Tavistock to provide day care especially for those with dementia.

We would encourage all decision makers to provide practical evidence that they are focussed on the practical provision of quality care for all older people in this area both for the existing service users and for those requiring services in the rest of the decade.

Martin Taylor, Chris Kirwin and Mike Dennis

Tavistock Area Senior Voice