MURDO SLAMS PERTH & KINROSS COUNCIL OVER FREE PERSONAL CARE

09/04/2007

Scottish Conservative Candidate for North Tayside Murdo Fraser has attacked SNP/Liberal Democrat-controlled Perth & Kinross Council for their position in relation to free personal care.

Perth and Kinross Council stopped charging for meal preparation for elderly people in September 2005, however there are still issues regarding back payments.  Perth & Kinross Council are now being taken to the Court of Session regarding paying back payments for services that should have been provided for free under free personal care.

Commenting, Murdo said:

“The standard of care that elderly people receive from Perth & Kinross Council staff is some of the best in the country.  However, the attitude of the Council regarding free personal care is disgraceful as many pensioners in Perth & Kinross have been charged for meal preparation which they should have got for free.  To make matters worse, many pensioners are still waiting to get their money back.

"Perth & Kinross Council must fulfil their duty of care to our elderly people.  I believe that they should refund all people who have been wrongly charged.  Some of the fault here undoubtedly lies with the Scottish Executive in Edinburgh for not giving Councils clear guidelines, but the pensioners of Perth & Kinross who are entitled to getting their money back should get it now.  It is an insult to the elderly people in Perth & Kinross and their families that the council have refused to reimburse the sums properly due to them."