NAC responsibility

This is a copy of the letter sent to Councillor Ellen McMaster.

Dear Mrs McMaster, First, a quick word about the writer. I am 75 years old and suffering from a rare and disabling condition called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

I am Canadian – Scottish by nationality – and was head of art and design at Arran High School for many years. My employer therefore was North Ayrshire Council. In addition, I was the founder of the Arran Heritage Project at the high school.

As soon as work started, I discovered that the senior citizens had a lot to give to the younger generation, and not just about Arran’s recent social history but about life too. They had had so much experience, regardless of what paths they had followed. It was touching to see how this normally difficult age responded to the older ones, whether it was about their own house or village area, or their occupations. The interest was mutual.

I am now highly dependent on social services and require assistance with many personal matters.

But now we hear that NAC intends to withdraw support for staff in sheltered housing. Specifically, here at Glen Estate, the services of Ann Reid are threatened. Ann looks after the personal plans and the general welfare of each tenant.

She is invaluable, since she reduces the need for expensive hospital stays – hospitals are full – also for transfers to Montrose House. The only alternative is the private Cooriedoon nursing home, beyond the reach of all but the rich.

I thought, wrongly it appears, that Scotland was egalitarian. I now wonder what my Canadian friends would think of this situation? Besides, the national news reports that after years of cuts, ‘austerity Britain’ is over. If this is the case, NAC are putting themselves outside the loop.

Does NAC have a responsibility to their people? Are the SNP middle ground or very right wing? If the latter, as in UKIP, I will never vote for them again.

Yours,

Maureen Farquharson Brodick