Hareleeshill stroke victim's care is stopped

Nov 5 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

AN OAP stroke victim this week hit out at council bosses – after having her free personal care stopped.

Grandmother Janet Ballantyne, of Wilson Street, Hareleeshill, had been receiving free personal care for the past three and a half years.

Now the 63-year-old, who suffered a major stroke three years ago, has been asked by South Lanarkshire Council to fork out £122.88 every four weeks to pay for her care package.

She gets about her home with a zimmer frame and a disabled ramp has been installed there.

Janet lives with her husband George (70), and their son, Stephen. She said: “My case is unusual in the fact that I have so many aliments. I have had major strokes, I have had mini strokes, I have got osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. “Purely on health grounds, they shouldn’t be charging me.”

Janet’s late daughter Lynn Simspon helped to get her mum free personal care in 2006 . Tragically Lynne, a mother-of-two, died from cancer last year at the age of 42 years.

And Janet added: “I am not paying the charges. I will stop the care first. That’s how strongly I feel about it.

”Why after three and half years have they have decided that I should now have to pay for the care?“

Janet worked for 18 years in residential care in Hamilton. She was deputy officer in charge of May Park and Braedale homes.

Janet received an hour of personal care in the morning and then half an hour in the evening. The carer washed or showered Janet and emptied her commode. Her service in the evening was provided by a private contractor on behalf of South Lanarkshire Council.

Free personal care was introduced for the elderly in 2002 by the Labour and Liberal Democrat administration. Personal care is free in Scotland to everyone aged 65 years and over who have been considered by the local authority as needing it. However, Janet has called on the council to stop charging her.

A council spokeswoman said: "We have been working closely with Mrs Ballantyne regarding her care package to meet her needs.

"Following a review of her support plan in May 2009, Mrs Ballantyne was advised that the services she receives would be subject to a charging policy.

"The charge is consistent with current Scottish Government guidance on charging for services.”