LETTER: Lack of joined up thinking

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I would like to share my experience with readers regarding the West Sussex County Council's Welfare Benefit Advisors Support Team (WBAST).

Readers will know that WSCC has increased the precept by four per cent - two per cent of it being specifically for additional funding for the WBAST. Which is a very noble and worthwhile cause, however the reality is a nightmare. This organisation appears totally unsuitable for dealing with the vulnerable elderly. In fact it’s dysfunctional.

My mother was admitted to Worthing Hospital with a mild stroke and thankfully for the excellent care she received, she was able to return home and free up a much-needed hospital bed, because she had the support of a free care package for six weeks.

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Despite being 95 she continued to make excellent progress and was able to dispense after three weeks with the free care package.

However, even before she had reached the three weeks, both Mother and I were pursued virtually on a daily basis, by the WBAST, for a financial assessment of Mother’s ‘wealth’ - now there’s a joke!

The assessment was required to see whether or not she could pay for her free care, despite many phone calls, emails and letters, all of which were ignored, demands carried on coming. All were unsigned.

There was no continuity, as you always spoke to a different person and it was blatantly obvious, that the left hand had no idea what the right hand was doing. A familiar fault with bureaucracy these days.

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Whether readers will agree with me, but had WBAST run efficiently and compassionately with joined up thinking and delivered VALUE FOR MONEY, most likely the two per cent increase approved by WSCC, probably would have been unnecessary.

As based on the facts, it is not fit for purpose, but of course it’s only using ratepayers’ money.

It would be interesting to know if other readers have experienced this nightmare.

PAM RANDS

Arun Road, Billingshurst

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