Question 5 - leading or what!

Imagine you had just arrived in Kent and you had a look at the Consultation Questionnaire. This question looks ok - or does it? Look at the extra information that make the first two statements seem more appealing! I leave it to you to guess what Kent County Council are looking for!

Place in order of 1-3 with 1 being your preferred choice of how you would like to receive care services, should you need them.

Care services delivered to me at home to allow me to live at home for as long as possible
1 2 3

Care services delivered to me in a way that means I keep my independence, stay included in the community and get access to 24-hour care (as in Extra Care Housing)
1 2 3

Care services delivered in a residential care setting
1 2 3

Email to Margaret Howard & Graham Gibbens

From: John Porter [mailto:john@balloons.plus.com]
Sent: 08 September 2010 15:08
To: 'Margaret.Howard@kent.gov.uk'; 'Graham.Gibbens@kent.gov.uk'
Cc: 'Trudy.Dean@kent.gov.uk'; 'Tim Strutt'
Subject: Consultation questionnaire

Dear Margaret and Graham

You have both said that hard copies of the consultation questionnaire will be available in libraries.

I visited the library in Hawkhurst yesterday and your colleague was totally unaware of the consultation questionnaire and confirmed there were no hard copies available.

This is extremely poor. You are denying people who do not have access to the Internet the opportunity to respond.

Regards

John Porter

cc post to blog

Leading & loaded questions

Bless them, Kent County Council have released a questionnaire on line click here Now you have to be careful in designing these so not to influence the response you want. Not so according to the samples I'll post.

Let's start with Q3:

Do you think the council should continue to run its own residential services even though this costs around double the price of the independent sector homes?

Are they having a laugh or what!

2nd resident dies during consultation period

I used to stop and chat to this lady when I visited mum. She sat near the entrance - Tiddles, the cat, would usually be nearby. Like many elderly people she loved animals. She was not very well and would sometimes say how worried she was that she may have to move out of Bowles Lodge.

We will never really know the real impact that the uncertainty of this consultation is having on the residents but I will miss her welcoming smile and I'm sure Tiddles will miss her assuring strokes.

How sad - why not let them live in peace?

UNISON fight Kent County Council proposals too

No-one knows how many people could lose their jobs as a result of the proposed shake-up of residential care for the elderly in Kent. There may be the possibility of redeployment but nothing is certain and with the public sector cut backs there are bound to be redundancies.

The staff in each home are working hard to ensure that this uncertainty does not impact negatively on the residents and day centre attendees but it is taking its toll on them. Although our focus is on our relatives we never forget the people who care for them daily and how vital their role is in their health and wellbeing.

Plans are being made for a protest march through Maidstone in late September - an opportunity for staff, relatives and supporters to show their solidarity - watch this space!

Diggers arrive at Bowles Lodge

Yesterday local residents and elderly people attending the Day Centre contacted me to say how shocked and upset they were at the site of diggers and workman arriving at Bowles Lodge!

It seems they are digging holes - maybe to test the ground to see the type of foundations that may be required if the new two-storey building gos ahead.

Kent County Council have said time and time again that this is a consultation but this kind of activity, that must cost money, is another indication that plans seem to be far advanced.

Evidently they will be there again today so, if you have a camera pop down and grab some evidence!

Text of one of the Courier articles below

Hundreds join debate to save vital care service

VILLAGERS crowded into Hawkhurst Primary School last Thursday night for a public meeting to discuss the future of Bowles Lodge care home.

Around 200 villagers listened to what Kent County Council's Graham Gibbens and Margaret Howard had to say about the future of the vital service.

Mrs Howard, director of commissioning and provision for West Kent, told the meeting that social care had changed over the last 20 years as "people live for a great deal more time and need a great deal more care".

The audience was told the council's reasons for change were people, buildings, cost and care.

The panel was quizzed over the fact that Bowles Lodge is no longer taking new residents or day care users.

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• GT Beverage Unveils New Beverage Alternative for StudentMrs Howard said: "I think it would be entirely inappropriate to decide to admit someone on a long-term basis when the longterm future of the home is under question."

Tunbridge Wells borough councillor for Cranbrook Linda Hall said moving residents would be "too disruptive", and added "when you move people who are 90 to 100 they die".

Mrs Howard assured people the transition would be "seamless" and said: "If it's done carefully, individually and over time, people do thrive."

Thrive Many villagers asked whether other sites could be used including Hawkhurst Castle and Swattenden.

Since the meeting, the county council has confirmed one of its own sites - or that of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council - could be used for the development.

County council spokesman Mike Sherbourne said: "The site would need to be large enough with no restrictions on development.

It would need a strong likelihood of obtaining full planning permission and it would need to be available by October 2011."

He added: "Hawkhurst Castle is not owned by Kent County Council so can't be used. The Swattenden site is not suitable because it is in use by Kent Highways Services, would not be expected to get planning permission and is away from community resources."

KCC are carrying out a consultation until November 1 to look at provision of care across the county. The council's proposal is to close the Bowles Lodge care home in September 2011 and demolish it in order to build extra care housing on the site that would be completed by 2013.

The county council's public questionnaire on older people's provision is available from www.kent.gov.uk/opfutures and paper copies will be distributed to interested groups and parties.

Bowles Lodge staff have been out in Hawkhurst with a Unisonbacked petition calling on the council to "withdraw its proposals and to make a clear commitment to retaining directly provided residential and day care services for older people."

Local campaigner John Porter has started a blog: www.bowleslodgestays.blogspot.com

Two stories in Kent & Sussex Courier

Relatives meet to plan next steps

We gathered this afternoon to reflect on how the campaign was going and what our next steps would be.

There have been some worrying developments like the fact that the Day Centre is not accepting any new people. We understand the reasons for not accepting any new permenant residents into the home until a decision is made but do not think it should apply to the Day Centre too. This is a VITAL LIFELINE to so many people who are socially isolated.

The next phase of our campaign is being finalised so expect to hear about what, how where and when... after it has happened. Our intention is to make the greatest impact through careful planning, strategic thinking and canny tactics in order to achieve our goals that BOWLES LODGE STAYS! - both the excellent home and Day Centre.

We will be meeting again in September to plan the next phase of our campaign. Date and venue will be sent to all relatives.

Shoppers join our campaign

Unison members, staff and relatives gave out leaflets and spoke to shoppers outside Budgens in Hawkhurst today.

Many signed our petition and pledged their support to keep Bowles Lodge.

Sad news

One of the residents at Bowles Lodge died this week.

BBC Radio Kent breakfast interview

Quite a long interview following last night's public meeting. click here - it is about 80 mins into the show - only available until next Thursday!

So far the public are only getting soundbites. It would be helpful to explore and debate these important issues in greater depth and to provide evidence to support what is being said.

Something to ponder on!

Reflections on public meeting tonight

About 200 people gathered at Hawkhurst Primary School this evening to question Graham Gibbens and Margaret Howard about the proposal. There were local residents, relatives of Bowles Lodge residents and day centre atendees, local business people and various parish and borough councillors.

I learnt nothing new apart from Margaret suggesting there was a significant supply of empty beds in independent homes (both not-for-profit and profit) across Kent. This is not backed up by home managers I have talked to! Also I learned that no new people can be taken at the day centre. I was shocked about this. I agree with not taking any new permanent residents in the home but day centre provision is different and can be provided on a temporary basis with less long lasting negative effects.

There was a lot of debate about alternative sites and availability or lack of money but less about people. When they were discussed the standard lines were trotted out.

Having put up "Bowles Lodge Stays!" posters and stories or residents on the walls I chose to stay quite and lingered outside in the cool evening air. Did a TV and radio interview and pondered how to win this thing. I believe it is possible and look forward to more media opportunities to get our message across.

We have a special meeting next week - more on this another time.

I had tea with mum at Bowles Lodge earlier. It took her about 10 minutes to dislodge a stubborn piece of bread off of her teeth - something I would do in a second. It revealed a huge amount about the challenges that mum grapples with every day. I love her deeply. Good night mum - sleep tight.

Local households anger

I delivered leaflets about next week's public meeting to 100 households around Bowles Lodge this morning before seeing mum.

Many did not know about the proposal or that there was a public meeting that had been called by Roger manning.

Those that did were furious about it. I was touched by the sense of fondness that local residents have for Bowles Lodge. It is part of their community and they will fight to protect it. Good for them!

Sandy & I interviewed on Radio Kent today

Sandy Strutt & I met with Graham Gibbens and Margaret Howard today at Sessions House in Maidstone and were then interviewed by Dominic King on Radio Kent. This was broadcast at 4.20pm today so you may be able to listen to it again on BBC's iPlayer.

Here are the questions I asked and the headlines of their responses. Overall I would describe it as a cordial meeting - very sugary and somewhat artificial. They did listen but we were both, as Dominic was too, left with the impression that they have made up their mind! I will leave it to you to make up your own mind.

What evidence, documents or other material helped you to formulate the proposal to close Bowles Lodge?
Graham said it was not a proposal! (I won't go there). He then trotted out almost word for word what Margaret had said to the residents exactly one month ago today at Bowles Lodge. He did not answer the question.

Who has called the public meeting at Hawkhurst Primary School on Thursday 29th July?
Roger Manning, County Councillor for Cranbrook and the Weald, who spoke at the Parish Council meeting mentioned last week.

Do you Graham have the sole responsibility for the decision?
Yes, as the delegated member of the Cabinet, though I will make a recommendation to all Cabinet members for endorsement.

Have you considered other sites?
They had looked at one which means that Bowles Lodge was NOT the first choice! There are other sites that Sandy mentioned that both Graham and Margaret had no knowledge of - doh!

How will the decision be made when the consultation ends on 1st November?
Very woolly on this one as he said "the consultation does not end on 1st November". Well it either does or it does not! He went on to say he will listen to all the points of view and then make a decision.

If the decision goes against us can we appeal?
"Oh, I don't know the answer to that one, says Graham, - Margaret?" Margaret looks puzzled. She will let us know.

If the decision is to keep Bowles Lodge open - what are the consequences?
Margaret said " we will lose the money from The Treasury for the new build project". Oh, I see, it is not about money then!!

Can we have the budget and actual maintenance costs at Bowles for the last 5 financial years please?
Margaret and Graham grimaced at this request and then said they would make enquiries to check if we could have this information. You see, we think the building is in good nick apart from the roof which does need repairing (could be done with residents in situ). Dominic described this as "makeover NOT a bulldozer" - nicely put Dom!

Would you consent to a live TV debate with me about this issue along the lines of the general election televised debates?
You could almost hear the squirming! I am up for this - me as an individual citizen with no mighty County Council back up v Graham Gibbens - the guy with the power to decide what happens to my mum!

What do you know about the current market state in the private/independent care sector in relation to block and spot contracting?
This is a key question that I do not have the space to go into here but we are hearing that the suitable places for very vulnerable people may not be available. Margaret dodged the question and I am not sure if Graham had a clue what I was talking about.

So there you have it - the gist of an 80-minute meeting at least. NONE of the conversation was confidential and I like them both as human beings though I think they are blinkered and politically cornered on this vital issue!

DON'T FORGET

...to come to a public meeting at Hawkhurst Primary School on Thursday 29th July at 7.30pm. Click here for map.

Come and hear what two key people from Kent County Council have to say about the proposed closure: Graham Gibbens, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Margaret Howard, Director, Commissioning and Provision (West Kent).

I understand that Roger Manning, County Councillor for Cranbrook and the Weald will chair the meeting.

Shops offer support to campaign

I visited all the shops in Hawkhurst today before I spent some time with my mum. Nearly every shop owner/manager was aware of the plan to close Bowles Lodge and felt it was wrong.

They were amazed to learn that two residents had celebrated their 100th birthday this year and said that it must stay open.

It was very heartening to listen to their views and many are displaying the flyer I gave them in their windows about the Public Meeting on Thursday 29th July at Hawkhurst Primary School.

Thank you local businesses for showing that Hawkhurst cares!

This is my mum

... at Bowles Lodge today. She said "I love it here and don't want to move".

Hawkhurst Parish Council meeting

About 50 people came for one special item this evening - to hear what Roger Manning, County Councillor for Cranbrook and the Weald, had to say about the proposed closure of Bowles Lodge. This is an email I sent to Graham Gibbens and Margaret Howard after the meeting:

Dear Graham

I have just got home from a meeting of the Hawkhurst Parish Council which was attended by Roger Manning who addressed, under a special item, questions raised by people who live in Hawkhurst about Bowles Lodge. There were at least 50 people there as the proposed redevelopment has caused much local concern.

I am sure that Roger will provide you with his account of the meeting. If not you will probably read another version in the Courier. Roger spent about an hour outside the community hall talking with people about the proposal.

The feelings of local residents and their depth of knowledge about the high standard of care Bowles Lodge provides was electrifying.

Roger's presentation was totally unconvincing. He came over as a nice person but a very poor spokesperson for KCC. At one point he referred to the proposal as an "idea floating about" in an attempt to counter the challenge that the consultation was not genuine. He also said that "... because we are living longer and getting dementia...". Getting dementia does not always happen and I am sure he would be convinced otherwise by two 90 year-old + residents if he took the time to meet with them.

Parish councillors were totally in the dark about the proposals (!?) and had not been formally consulted by KCC - the reporter's pen was nearly on fire at that point.

There is a strong move for a public meeting and other media are now asking questions.

As a tax payer I expect a more professional approach and am shocked by Rogers' lack of preparation.

Relatives meet to plan campaign

Over 25 people met in the scorching heat today at the day centre at Bowles Lodge. It was very encouraging to meet people who wanted to do something. The most powerful thing we realised was the stories we shared about our relatives and how they came to be at Bowles Lodge. These stories revealed more about the high quality of care at Bowles Lodge and the posisitive changes we had all observed in our relatives since arriving.

There are many arguments we can mount against the proposed closure but it was these stories that rang in my heart and mind as I left the meeting. Keeping our relatives in the centre of our campaign is crucial and will prevent us from being diverted into peripheral issues. This focus will also help us to maintain our energy, prevent pride and give us the boost we need to sustain momentum through the consultation period and beyond.