Officials at Dumfries and Galloway council are calling for calm over plans to change care provision for adults with learning disabilities in Castle Douglas.

Thursday, June 15, 2006 - West Sound Radio News (Visit Web Site)

Officials at Dumfries and Galloway council are calling for calm over plans to change care provision for adults with learning disabilities in Castle Douglas.

The latest row in the wrangle regarding the future of Dunmuir Park has been centered around the content and time tabling of consultation meetings.

APOLOGETIC COUNCIL SAY CONSULTATION ‘NOT VITAL’

Thursday, June 15, 2006 - South West Sound FM Radio News (Visit Web Site)

Dumfries and Galloway council is apologising to families and friends of Dunmuir Park after failing to give sufficient notice for a council consultation exercise on the learning disability service.

According to a spokesperson it was not a vital meeting and there will be more opportunities for consultation throughout the summer.

No consultation over Dunmuir Park

Thursday, June 08, 2006 - Galloway News (Visit Web Site)

CASTLE Douglas councillor Andrew Campbell has expressed his “concern” over the growing uncertainty surrounding Dunmuir Park.

In a letter to Fraser Sanderson, corporate director of education and community services, Councillor Campbell called for him to provide some “much needed stability” for all involved by providing a progress report for the next meeting of the Adult Services Sub-Committee (ASSC).

In the letter, dated June 1, Councillor Campbell said: “Clearly as a council we should be ensuring this issue is handled sensitively and with the full involvement of the people most affected by this decision. I appreciate there requires to be continued discussions with residents and their carers to ensure the individual circumstances of all residents are fully considered.”

Despite this statement, according to the Dunmuir Park Protest Group, none of the families or residents has yet been contacted for consultation, as agreed at the public meeting of April 26.

Councillor Campbell added that he is fully in support of the decision taken to close the hostel.

He adds: “I supported this move with a provision that Dunmuir Park should not close until the right facilities were available. This included the community aspect of Dunmuir Park which I understand the staff are working on so that everyone has the opportunity to meet in a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy each other’s company.”

The Dunmuir Park Protest Group are calling for the decision to close the hostel to be revoked as the only way to remove the uncertainty facing residents and their families.

In a letter to the Galloway News today, the group say that consultation after a decision has been made is impossible.

The group are calling on councillors Maitland, Campbell and Purdie to resign over the management of the issue.

Heather Harscoet (Collington) reply Jun-7 2006 re ‘Options’ and future of Dunmuir Park

From: DPPG c/o The Secretary 3 Cannon Place Palnackie Castle Douglas DG7 1PS

Tel: 01556 600176 E: contact@dppg.org.uk W: www.dppg.org.uk
To: Heather Harscoët Operations Manager Learning Disability Service
Community Learning Disability Team
Regional HQ
Laurel Bank
Nithbank
Dumfries DG1 2SD
Your Ref: HH/ML
Date: 7th June 2006
Dear Ms Harscoët
Thank you for your letter dated 31st May 2006 concerning the future of Dunmuir Park, which was addressed to the Chair, Friends of Dunmuir Park (FDP).
Mr Bell has passed this to us for, as indicated to you, this is no longer appropriate now that the DPPG has been formed on 24th May 2006.
We wish to make it clear for the record that the DPPG presently comprises around 25 relatives, friends and service users and that this number of supporters is growing. Please will you send all correspondence about this matter to us in future, addressed as above.
Thank you very much for proposing a meeting on 12th June. The DPPG look forward to meeting with Ms Proctor and yourself to discuss the way forward, however and unfortunately the 12th is much too soon for the DPPG to give this matter the attention it deserves. In the changing circumstances we are sure you appreciate and understand this.
We note your suggested remit of the group. In order to assist the DPPG and avoid any needless duplication, please will you set out for us in full detail all the various potential models or options of service development for both current and future users of Dunmuir Park that you and Ms Proctor have considered or are aware of from your extensive experience. Are we correct to understand that no option is ruled out? Please would you also set out for us any policy or other constraints that could influence the appraisal of any option. Such detail will greatly help facilitate any future meeting.
We look forward to receiving this information in due course. Thank you.
Yours sincerely C J Green Secretary DPPG

BBC Radio Scotland ‘Action Scotland’ to broadcast programme about the campaign to save Dunmuir Park

Sunday, May 28, 2006 – Orginal Source

Note that BBC Radio Scotland will broadcast an ‘Action Scotland’programme about the campaign to save Dunmuir Park on Weds June 7th at11:05 – 11:30.  It is expected this will generate further national debate in Scotland Live at 12:00 that day covering both the specificand wider issues including the rights of vulnerable adults.  More is expected to be announced about this in the next few days.

VISIT THE ACTION SCOTLAND WEB SITE

Fresh start for Dunmuir Park?

Thursday, May 18, 2006 - Galloway News (Visit Web Site)

FRIENDS of Dunmuir Park will push for a new paper to be passed to the Adult Services Sub Committee (ASSC) next week.

The paper will call for a ‘fresh start’ outlining recommendations in a bid to progress positively and ‘draw a line under the past’.

At a public meeting on Thursday, May 25, at the Murray Arms Hotel, Gatehouse, from 1.30pm till 4pm, FDP will call for the Learning Disability Management Group (LDMG) to back their recommendations.

Friends will urge the LDMG to compile a paper to be presented to Adult Services Sub Committee at their next meeting.

The Friends are calling for the ASSC to set aside their report and decisions made on February 2 when closure was agreed, among other assurances.

In a letter to LMDG Chris Green of Friends of Dunmuir Park, said: “If agreed then all action in the future will be positive and forward looking by both the families and the officers, being a much needed ‘fresh start’.

“It is a demonstration of good faith that also helps restore badly damaged trust.”

Will councillors support move to revoke Dunmuir Park closure?

Thursday, May 11, 2006 - Galloway News (Visit Web Site)

Sir — Dunmuir Park Hostel, Castle Douglas – more hypocrisy?

Your article on Thursday, May 4 names us and lists the nine bullet points in an email letter we received from Councillor Maitland on April 24, just two days before the public meeting where she and Councillor Purdie were quite properly called to account. What a pity that former Convener, Councillor Campbell was not able to be present and also face his highly critical constituents directly.

We totally agree these are very important questions that still need to be clarified. That’s why they were already highlighted in the 19 points we detailed for all ASSC Councillors to consider in our January written submission before they made the February 2 decision.

We had already replied to Councillor Maitland’s letter asking her to explain why she did not ask these questions then at the proper time, on February 2 in committee? This was when she, as part of the then ruling administration, simply ‘rubber stamped’ the Dunmuir Park closure, without any of the scrutiny she now agrees was necessary.

Councillor Maitland then deliberately chose not to question officers about these aspects of a report that we said was badly flawed. And she refused our reasonable request to simply delay that decision to consult and listen to the families’ concerns.

On March 27 she and Councillors Purdie and Campbell also told us they “had to be guided by the professionals” but she also didn’t show this concern then either. This attitude is now being called ‘institutional arrogance’.

Only Councillor Kathleen Davidson argued for such consultation, yet she was brushed aside. Why then this public pretence of such concern nearly three months later?

We say pretence because as she left that public meeting a few weeks ago, and despite all the evidence then again presented to her first hand, she told a mother it is, “unlikely I will change my mind about closure”.

So it is fair to ask her whether this is just another public relations stunt and more political point scoring? If not, then surely Councillor Maitland and her local colleagues, former convener Campbell and then committee chair Councillor Purdie, will now wish to publicly confirm they all support our request to revoke that decision immediately and so remove the ongoing blight they have put on all the families?

After all, it’s a very simple thing to do and will remedy the mistake all now agree was made on February 2 and previously in 2001/2002. If she and they will not do this immediately and action a real practical ‘apology’, then we invite readers to conclude that what Councillor Maitland has chosen to take from our January submission is exposed as no more than self-serving political hypocrisy; but it’s at the expense of all our learning disabled relatives who rely upon the whole Dunmuir Park model of care.

Chris & Janet Green

Attorneys for Mr D G Emmerson and for the ‘Dunmuir Park families’

Friends suggest new start

Thursday, May 11, 2006 - Galloway News (Visit Web Site)

FRIENDS of Dunmuir Park are calling for a ‘fresh start’ on negotiations about the future of the hostel.

A new paper is hoped to be to be passed to the council’s adult services sub-committee (ASSC) outlining recommendations in a bid to progress positively and ‘draw a line under the past’.

The Friends have passed their list of recommendations to the Learning Disability Management Group (LDMG), formerly social work services, urging them to compile a paper to be presented to ASSC at their next meeting.

In a letter to the LDMG, Chris Green of the Friends who is also financial and welfare attorney of Dunmuir Park resident Donald Emmerson, has requested that the paper “recognises all that has happened at Dunmuir Park but does not attempt to apportion blame or responsibility and looks forward”.

The Friends are calling for the ASSC to set aside their report and decisions made on February 2 when closure was agreed.

They also want the LDMG to agree to the recommendations that those using the Dunmuir Park respite service, which was deemed unsuitable by councillors and officials, can continue to do so with the additional choice to use the new Merrick Road development.

The Friends have also called for existing residents to be considered as a single group with all new respite users referred to Merrick Road.

The recommendations call for an assurance that no residents will be encouraged to move from Dunmuir Park and the facility will be allowed to develop, including the plans for half way houses, until the service amendment has been agreed.

The recommendations add that all involved as users and their families and representatives should now work together with officers to develop the Dunmuir Park care model of the future.

The Friends say the process of development for Dunmuir Park could take four to five years if jointly developed and insist that there should be no pressure during this time.

Such an agreement, they say, would “draw a line” under the past and remove “damaging uncertainty”.

Mr Green adds: “If agreed then all action in the future will be positive and forward looking by both the families and the officers, being a much needed ‘fresh start’.

“It is a demonstration of good faith that also helps restore badly damaged trust.”

The next meeting of LDMG will be held on May 25 at the Murray Arms Hotel from 1.30pm and is open to the public.

In the firing line over Dunmuir Park

Thursday, May 04, 2006 - Galloway News (Visit Web Site)

COUNCILLORS and council officials were expected to come under fire last night for the way they have handled the closure of Dunmuir Park in Castle Douglas.

The special meeting, called by the Friends of Dunmuir Park heard from senior officials of the council and Councillor Jim Dempster, chairman of the Adult Services Committee, the committee that took the decision to close the building and move the residents into their own accommodation.

The council officials and councillors were expected to face a barrage of criticism from parents and guardians of the home’s residents at the meeting held in Castle Douglas Parish Church Hall.

Councillor Dempster said that as the recently appointed chair of the adult services committee he wanted to hear first hand what the residents and their parents and guardians had to say.

“I also wanted to reiterate clearly the decision to close the building has been taken. It would not be viable to reverse that matter,” he said. “I have read the many letters in the local press and last week’s article in The Galloway News that there is concern over the lack of consultation and the issue surrounding a lack of a communal area.

“I recognise that these are genuine areas of concern that do require further discussion…”

He told the meeting he could give two assurances.

“Firstly, if there has been lack of consultation, I apologise, and I will ensure that each resident along with their parent or guardian will be visited by Social Services to outline clearly what accommodation will be available and what care or support package will be appropriate for each individual resident.

“The issue regarding the lack of a communal area is one that needs further examination. Loreburn Housing Association are the owners of the proposed new accommodation and obviously the council are not in a position to dictate. There may be other options more suitable other than a communal area but further discussion with the residents would be necessary.

“I want to emphasise that I do believe individuals with disabilities or special needs should be integrated into local communities with appropriate support where necessary. The present accommodation is not presently ‘fit for purpose’, is over two floors with no lift and I believe that moving the residents into more modern, more suitable accommodationwill be a positive improvement to the quality of their lives.”

Councillor Dempster said he was firmly of the view that this was not a bricks and mortar issue but an issue about people. He added:“I understand the fears that arise from any change, but I want to reassure everyone that the interests of the residents are being taken into consideration and should that not be the case I want to hear about it.”

Sent back to think again

Thursday, May 04, 2006 - Galloway News (Visit Web Site)

FINAL decisions on the fate of Dunmuir Park will be further delayed after councillors and officials admitted a breakdown in communication.

Speaking at a public meeting last Wednesday night in Castle Douglas, councillors ‘held their hands up’ to a lack of consultation which has provoked outcry from families and friends of residents.

It was agreed that a full asessment would take place with all residents, their families and legal representatives after some claimed they had not seen a social worker for over a year.

Concerned friends and family begged the councillors to reconsider their decisions and put the residents who are not ready to move out at the centre of the plans.

Officials and councillors from the Adult Services Sub-Committee (ASSC) heard from concered residents, carers and Friends of Dunmuir Park (FDP) at the first meeting that all sides have attended since the initial plans to close the facility in 2002.

Robert Sproat, a 25-year-old resident of Dunmuir Park, who has learning difficulties, told the meeting: “No one has ever asked me where I want to live.

“I wouldn’t want to live out in the community because I would be socially excluded.”

He addressed the councilors and council officials: “I would like one of these people to stand-up honestly say that I have a choice.”

Chris Green, financial and welfare attorney for Dunmuir Park resident Donald Emmerson, who is 54 and has Down’s Syndrome, backed the view that the plans to close Dunmuir Park should have been made after consideration of residents and carers views.

He said: “How can we know that the alternatives are suitable if we don’t know what the alternatives are?”

Mr Green added that he and his wife are legally obliged to represent Donald’s views and they are fighting for them to be heard.

Rosemary Flexney, group manager for adult services, was the first to admit that the level of information given to those involved had been inadequate.

She said: “There are various choices for those involved that people don’t know about.

“That might be my fault for not telling them.”

She continued: “It is misinformation and a mistake to think that we are going to reduce the service.”

She admitted that the council had got ‘the cart before the horse’ and said that it was a great shame that a lot of anxiety had been created.

Councillor William Scobie said those who had attended were not going to be satisfied with any answer the panel of councillors and officials had to give.

He suggested they get on with discussing how to move forward for the benefit of the residents rather that “trying to defend the indefensible”.

After hearing that residents are scared to be without their communal ‘safety net’ unit , councillors were asked to give their assurances that a similar communal unit would be available to the residents.

Castle Douglas community councillor Derek Brown asked Rosemary Flexney, to assure those concerned that there would be a core unit in the new development for socialising.

She replied that the question was unfair but said that no residents would be moved from Dunmuir Park until a suitable alternative had been found.

Representatives from Loreburn Housing, who also attended the meeting, confirmed that there are no plans for communal space in the six, two-bedroomed flat development on Merrick Road, Castle Douglas.

Ms Flexney said that the council aim to give people information on all of the alternatives so that they can make an informed choice. She added that it is easy for the residents to say that they don’t want to change their situation if they don’t know any different.

Councillors and officials say that the restpite facilities at Dunmuir Park are inadequate and when the chance to provide an updated service at Loreburn came-up they decided to go for it, prompting the decision to update the whole unit.

Care worker at Dunmuir Park, Moira McConnell, said that the way that the residents had been treated was unacceptable.

She said: “The people who live at Dunmuir Park are scared and they don’t know what is going to happen to them.

“It is not right, I wouldn’t like this to happen to someone in my family.”

Chris Green said that he did not agree that the professionals knew best in this case.

He said: “We need to start again and take this decision away.

“Develop the alternative with us, we are as capable as any member of the council.”

John Dempster, chairman of the ASSC who are responsible for the decision to close Dunmuir Park, confirmed that the committee will have further consultation and make a decision on whether or not to revoke the original decision.

He said: “I cannot revoke the decision here tonight.

“After the decision we will report back to the parent committee and make a decision about whether this is a matter that can be revoked.”