Here's what Dai Lloyd has to say on Swansea Council Day Centre charge plan

Plaid Cymru AM Dai Lloyd has written to Swansea Council Leader Rob Stewart outlining his concerns around the proposal to introduce a £40 charge for elderly people to attend Council-run Day Centres.

The proposal forms part of a package of measures designed to save £22million in the next year.

However, Dr. Lloyd argues that introducing charges to this level risks worsening the level of loneliness and isolation felt by elderly people across the city, and could end up costing the authority more money in the long-run.

Dai Lloyd stated:

“The proposal by Swansea Council, not just to introduce charges for Daycare Centres in the County, but to set them at a level of £40 per day is worrying. Elderly people and their relatives are clearly concerned too.

“Many older people rely on these services – they are a lifeline which enable them to socialise and to feel part of their local communities.

“The National Assembly’s Health and Social Care Committee recently looked into the issue of loneliness and isolation among our elderly population, and it was clear that Council-run Days Centres such as these play a key role in supporting that agenda.

“The evidence shows that keeping elderly people active and ensuring that they have centres in which to meet, helps maintain their health, and essentially reduces the financial burden on health and social services.

“By introducing a financial charge at this level, the Council runs the risk of introducing a barrier to this vital service, which in the long-run will be counter-productive, as these individuals potentially will need more intense health and social care.

“We are talking here about some of the most vulnerable people within our society, and I do hope that the Leader of the Council, and his Cabinet, reject this proposal, and will instead look to other areas to deliver the savings that they need to find.”