Extra respite facilities for southern Staffordshire

New approach to Labour’s short term approach to care in Staffordshire in partnership with Foundation Trust…

I met carers recently who were concerned at the previous County Administration’s plans to replace three out of date learning disability respite centres with two new ones.

On the face of it not such a big deal… or is it? Well, actually yes it is because people in Tamworth and Lichfield would have to travel for close on an hour just to secure respite services without replacing the Tamworth based facility.

And, actually, with a bit of effort and negotiation with South Staffs and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust a substantial capital contribution to help out with the third site was entirely forthcoming.

Three strategically sited respite places makes far more sense in the longer term for the south of the county and if we didn’t do it now we’d have to do it in the future, so why not get it right first time?

Planning for the next ten years, not ten months, is the approach I want to take and this seems to fit that well. Thanks to the Mental Health Foundation Trust and particularly Steve Jones, their Chairman and Neil Carr, the Chief Executive, for their valuable contribution to help this happen.

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