A FAMILY has hit out at plans to farm out the care of residents in sheltered accommodation to the private sector.

Mrs Pauline Needham, who has two relatives living at Hesketh Manor, Atherton, has written to Leigh MP Andy Burnham and Wigan and Leigh Housing, regarding the proposed changes to the wardens' roles and working patterns.

She claims the Housing Co have decided to scrap the system of resident wardens responding to night alarms with a system of three mobile wardens run by Eldercare.

In a letter to the MP, Mrs Needham, of Hamilton Street, Atherton, said: "I think it is unacceptable to hand out care to the private sector when there are perfectly capable, familiar, trustworthy wardens on site 24 hours a day.

"My family opted for Hesketh Manor because of the security and familiarity of the complex.

"The contract between Wigan and Leigh Housing is now being broken against their will. What redress do we have in the event of abuse of the sytem or death because of delayed reaction time?"

She said: "I wonder if families of elderly residents in sheltered accommodation are aware of the proposed changes. Many of the elderly are infirm, deaf and frightened to speak out, and I know that many are unhappy with the plan."

Mrs Needham said a letter from the Housing Co stating it intended to implement the changes in September-October before people's concerns have been fully investigated is not acceptable.

She said: "We have grave concerns over these proposed changes and we want answers to many questions for us to discuss the matter at today's (Thursday) meeting at Hesketh Manor which has been called to reassure residents who express dismay and concern.

Mr Burnham said: "We are making further inquiries about the proposals and reasons for the changes. We very much understand the concern expressed by Mrs Needham and her family."

A spokesman for Wigan and Leigh Housing said: "We understand and respect Mrs Needham's concerns and our recent correspondence will hopefully put her mind at rest.

"We must stress that these improvements to the service are not as claimed being railroaded in. Rather they are the result of the need to improve working conditions for wardens, provide round the clock cover for all sheltered schemes, not just some, and because both tenants and wardens have told us that they want clarification about when wardens are actually on duty.

"Residents have been fully consulted about the changes and Eldercare staff have worked hard to introduce themselves to them. The scheme managers and sheltered housing staff will be conducting a further drop-in session once the changes have been implemented to see how things are working, and we will be closely monitoring the new service as it develops."