Memorandum from Service Users Reference Forum (SURF) (SPP 07

 

The Service Users Reference Forum (SURF), is supported by a full time person, it is funded by Hampshire County Council via Supporting People money. We meet on a regular basis so that we can comment on papers that feed into the County Core Group. We are actively involved with tendering services for Supporting People.

My name is Jessie Hewitt and I am currently chair, we hope that the bullet points we have set out are given consideration as they matter to us.

 

1 This could be an opportunity by good Councils but there are those who could use the money most unwisely in detriment to Service Users.

 

2 How do we ensure Service Users voices are heard and acted upon.

 

3 We were assured that Mental Health Patients would be cared for in the community but this does not now happen in many cases.

 

4 Being this money is reducing year on year how can Service Users be guaranteed that the money will be available when needed.

 

5 As things are some elderly people will have to pay for services while they wait for a place to become available even those who are on Housing Benefit. This is attacking those who are poorest in the community, leaving some with the decision whether to eat or pay for care.

 

April 2009