I ATTENDED a meeting at the Edward Parry Centre, Kidderminster, on "Fairer Charging in Care Services", or the Government's intention to charge for care services in the community.

This is a new initiative with the intention of improving services, including mental care - or so you are led to believe.

The reality is that it is a badly thought-up policy, by people who seem to have little idea of the problems faced by carers and care users in mental after-care.

At the moment, people who have suffered a mental problem are cared for at non-residential centres and in the home, by carers from the Edward Parry Centre.

This is a vital staging point between hospital and returning to the community.

The past record in this area is exemplary and it is very cost-effective.

Without this type of help, a lot of the care users would never be able to lead a normal life, could end up in permanent residential care, or worse still, in the graveyard.

It came as a surprise to me that Government now expects these most vulnerable people to pay for essential medical care.

This is exploitation of the worst kind. It will inevitably mean a lot of people will not receive the care they need, or at best a limited version of it.

Ultimately this will mean larger numbers of the mentally ill will not improve, and larger numbers will end up in permanent residential care.

This is morally and ethically wrong. It will eventually be a lot more expensive and will have an effect on our community as a whole.

MIKE SHELLIE

County councillor

Health Concern

Wilton Avenue, Kidderminster