Cornwall Council plans cuts to services for people with learning difficulties

Cornwall Council wants to cut services for people with learning difficulties as part of proposals to tackle a £3.6 million funding shortfall in adult care.

The council, which was criticised following an investigation into abuse of people with learning difficulties at Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust, wants to remove day centre provision for people with learning difficulties who are funded for residential care.

It also plans to introduce a £1.50 charge for transport to day services.

All adult social care services could also be restricted to people with moderate, substantial or critical needs under the proposals, which are currently out to consultation.

East Cornwall Mencap, which sparked the abuse investigation by the Healthcare Commission and the Commission for Social Care Inspection, has called for services to be “properly resourced”.

A Cornwall Council spokesperson said it had not made a final decision on the proposals.