Swansea Home Care workers facing privatisation get Geraint Davies' support

Labour's Geraint Davies has met up with Swansea Council home care workers to discuss moves by Swansea's Liberal Democrat Council to cut their hours and jobs to save money at the expense of the service provided to Swansea's vulnerable elderly.

Said Geraint Davies, "Swansea's home carers are responsible for getting our city's vulnerable elderly people out of bed in the morning, washed, dressed and fed and often medicated. This is a difficult job done with care and respect from those who have chosen a career in caring but now face job insecurity and privatisation. 

"In a desperate bid to balance the books the Liberal Democrat Council in Swansea has decided to limit the hours of former full time employed home care workers and to force them to train new-comers who will eventually take over their jobs through private sector contracts. After training the new-comers get employed through the private sector to do the job for less money. 

"The elderly vulnerable in Swansea appreciate the professional, caring and familiar service from Swansea's long serving home care workers and are now concerned at the arrival of a new generation of semi-trained staff. They can earn more than at the Tesco check out but have often not got the experience, training or caring focus to provide the service required. 

"This move follows earlier attempts by the Lib Dem Council to cut the costs of looking after our vulnerable elderly including cuting their free Emergency Telephone Lifeline service and the proposed closure of Earlsmoor Respite Care Home. 

Swansea Council's financial incompetence will mean £14 million of cuts in front line services. Where these cuts are made reflects the Liberal Democrat's priorities and they have chosen to cut services for the vulnerable elderly disproportionately." 

"It was a pleasure to meet up with so many home care workers. I will support their case in the interests of our vulnerable elderly and will campaign alongside UNISON  and GMB against privatisation in the new year." 

Photo Geraint Davies with Swansea home care workers united after their recent meeting to oppose service cuts.