Discussion Boards I care for...
Travel In Medway
- By Hamlet44
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Mon 12 May 2008 16:45
Having just registered on the site,but already a carer with the PRT organisation(registered). I'd just like to mention about yet another deplorable decision by a council to squeeze more money from the most vulnerable.
My local council Medway scrapped any free carers travel in April and introduced an annual charge of £75 if carers wish to travel within the area with their disabled charges.
This decision was taken without the inclusion of the people it affects. The council say that it was a decision that was long and hard thought over before being introduced. This is complete rubbish,it amounts to nothing more than carers subsidising this appalling underfunded council.
I am only able to start a journey within Medway with my carer for free,but on coming back i have to pay full fare.Even if i am only just outside.
This means that as i don't drive that i live my life within the small boundaries of Medway unless i can find extra cash. i Like so many others have now to rely on my disabled partners benefits to pay to the council or bus company. This is beyond the pale and we must stop this for all the carers around the region,and to protect the carers of other areas whose authority may try to introduce this indefensible charge.My partner has an on-line petition about this and we are desparate for more signatures,so if people out there would please sign we may be able to do something. Please go to www.gopetition.com
Replies
- By kerry.
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Re: Travel In Medway
Mon 12 May 2008 19:26totally despicable hamlet- once again the disabled and their carers are penalised.
i used to come under sevenoaks council and i had them over the coals for discrimination at my lcoal leisure centre- i won of course and they changed their policies- so dont give up.off to sign your petition now...........
best of luck with it.
- By Hamlet44
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Re: Travel In Medway
Tue 13 May 2008 18:24Having started this discussion,i would be interested to know what some of the travel arrangements around some of the other regions are. I called the House of Commons enquiry line this morning to ask how it may be possible to speak to my and any other MP's about these issues,and was told by the chap on the phone that it literally is a case of if a minister doesn't choose to answer,then thats it,nothing.
The guy said that it's more likely that someone would take notice if these things are put before select commitees by groups such as the PRT and Carers UK and then MP's may be questioned.
Anyway if anyone would like to mention about their travel situations i'd love to hear. Scott
(Hamlet(44)
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By Sparhawk73
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Re: Travel In Medway
Tue 13 May 2008 19:12Hi Hamlet. have already signed the petition. I say you should talk to your local CAB and see if you could make a case for discrimiation which this is in my view . I live in oxfordshire and we have a blanket coverage for the area as long as the caree has a companion pass. out of the regoin will have to pay.
Jason (sparhawk73)
- By Tricia
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Re: Travel In Medway
Tue 13 May 2008 19:47Hello Scott
Here in Tyne & Wear we get no reduced travel cost for the carer when travelling with the caree. The caree can get a free bus pass and there is a fee of £12 per year for a Gold card which allows access to the Metro. (That I don't object to because it is good value for money for anyone who uses the metro on a regular basis.)
But as for the carer they have to pay full travelling costs when out with their caree even if the caree needs support when out and about.
- By Hamlet44
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Re: Travel In Medway
Wed 14 May 2008 10:29Hi ya,i did get in touch with the CAB and they did say they would pass the enquiry on to another dept(can't quite remember the dept),and they said that i may hear something. Who knows.
Although Scottish,i am finding the Scottish executive more laughable and corrupt by the day,but will give credit to them for allowing carers to travel the length and breadth of Scotland on their carees bus passes and find it completely unbelievable that this facility is not available in England.
Seems that disability has borders.
We spoke to the guy for transport yesterday(again) and asked him what provision is made for people who suffer narcolepsy, or incontinence and other such problems,and who would deal with such cases if the carer was not with them. His silence and inability to defend his charge spoke volumes. But he did manage to mumble some rubbish about people on the streets helping.
Alison my partner has Myotonic Dystrophy and as it is a muscle wasting condition,she cannot take anaesthetics, if she was to have a problem without me being there, i wonder how many every day mothers with 3 children out doing the shopping would know that to administer any kind of the above could cause immediate death without the knowledge i have learned over the years. Which guy popping out the bookies would immediately be able to describe her condition and help.???
It appears that in order to fund underfunded councils, the general public must now be wise in the ways of health care for all disabilities.
I wonder where this ridiculous man in Medway learned his job.
However thanks again for signing and please keep the sigs coming. Scott.