Council ruling means dementia patients could miss out on care

Debbie Easter says she was given no explanation as to why Embrace Care, which she operates on Whitegate Drive, was turned down after she submitted a tender to provide adult day care.

While she continues to take private referrals, she believes some struggling families may be unaware help is out there.

She said: “A few years ago, after watching some very close family and friends go through the pain of dealing with family and loved ones living with dementia, we thought what was needed in the middle of Blackpool, was a day centre.

“This would be a form of respite for those carers looking after loved ones living with dementia on a day-to-day basis, sometimes not having a minute to themselves or even being able to get a full night’s sleep or a bath in peace.

“They can drop their loved ones here and have the day to themselves, and sometimes this is all it takes to recharge those batteries and give them back the stamina they need to cope.”

Debbie, whose business has provided home day care services for four years, invested £250,000 in renovating premises on Whitegate Drive which include activity areas, a quiet room, outdoor space and eight rooms with the potential to be used as sensory space.

But after applying for a tender in March this year, she was turned down with the council opting for Independent Living North West at Warren Manor in Norbreck as its only preferred provider.

Debbie, who says she has been granted a tender from Lancashire County Council, said: “Independent Living North West has been established for a long time and I’m sure it is a brilliant provider.

“But I think there should be a choice, and it is also a long way to travel for people living on this side of Blackpool.

“So for instance in winter, when it gets dark people with dementia start to experience a mood change and it can be frightening to have a long journey home as they might not know where they are.

“I really feel let down by Blackpool Council because they didn’t even send anyone to look at our facilities before making their decision.

“While we are still getting referrals, being one of the council’s preferred providers would bring us to the attention of more people needing vital respite care and wanting more choice.”

Embrace Care currently has 28 regular users of its day care facility, but could take up to 50 people a day.

Debbie also plans to introduce ‘Singing for the Brain’ sessions from the end of June, which is an initiative organised by The Alzheimer’s Society.

Karen Smith, Blackpool Council’s director of adult services, said: “The council undertook a procurement exercise this year, specifically focussed on day care for older adults.

“Tenders were reviewed in line with the council’s procurement procedure and criteria which was outlined in advance to potential service providers.

“A provider was subsequently appointed conforming to the guidance within which local authorities must operate.

“Although it would not be appropriate for us to comment on the scoring of individual tenders we do provide detailed feedback to every applicant and in this case have offered to provide further clarification about the process for future submissions.”