News from Bromley Labour

Care home report sparks controversy at Bromley Council meeting

The reports from the Care Quality Commission which found Bromley’s adult social care amongst the eight worst in England, was discussed at the council meeting on Tuesday 15th.

Councillor Graham Arthur, the Conservative Party Portfolio Holder responsible for adult care, answered three very similarly worded questions from his own party in councillors’ question time. It turned out that one of the councillors in whose name the question was submitted had no knowledge of the question. This is against the rules governing councillor questions. Clearly, Cllr Arthur was placing friendly questions to avoid having to answer the serious questions which need to be put following the critical report.

When serious questions were raised by Cllr John Getgood, Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Arthur chose to deny and ridicule the findings rather than address the serious concerns. Cllr John Getgood commented:

“The findings are not all bad and in many areas Bromley is performing well. However, it remains a fact that all but 7 councils in England were found to be performing better. Cllr Arthur refused to acknowledge the criticisms that commissioned residential care homes for older people in Bromley were below standard; that there is low provision of intermediate community settings for people being discharged from Hospital; that the number of older people helped to live at home is lower than the London average, or that a higher proportion of voluntary or third sector organisations, felt they did not receive positive support from the council. We all want Bromley’s services to elderly people to be even better but we will only reach that standard once Cllr Arthur stops being so defensive and treats seriously the issues raised by the inspectors.”