Dr David Supple

Chair

Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group

 Dear David,

I first of all would like to thank you and Ashley very much indeed for attending the HOSC meeting on 17th July, and for answering so many questions on behalf of the CCG on the subject of funding for the Disability Advice Centre at Possability People. I do appreciate that this was a difficult and passionate debate.

The feelings expressed at the meeting last week were both unanimous and clear, that the Disability Advice Centre plays a crucial role for the city, in that it is the only fully accessible centre offering a service that is only available elsewhere in a fragmented and piecemeal fashion. The alternatives put forward are in centres not fully accessible to all, or to which only certain groups can attend, such as disabled older persons, disabled LGBT persons, etc. which does not best serve the needs of a particularly disadvantaged and vulnerable sector of society.

Concern was expressed that due process had not been fully observed, with Possability People left with very little notice to accommodate the consequences of the decision, delays in the Equality Impact Assessment, and lack of an adequate Priority Action Plan and, more crucially, no consultation conducted with service users.

I am writing to you today to formally ask that the CCG reverse its decision with regard to funding, and reinstate the £29,000 annual grant. 

Whilst the view of the CCG is that the services provided by the DAC are not directly health related, there is a cogent argument that it has direct links to physical, mental and emotional well-being. As this, in turn, has direct financial savings implications to the NHS in terms of prevention, to do so would not only be humane in the immediate term, but would also be cost effective in the long term.

On behalf of Possability People, members of HOSC and those with disabilities across the city, I urge you to reconsider.

Yours Sincerely

Cllr Lizzie Deane

Chair, Brighton & Hove Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee