AN ELDERLY woman has seen the cost of her weekly day centre visit more than treble, under a controversial new charging policy.

Steph Hillier was shocked to discover that the fee for her 89-year-old mother to be taken to the Alumhurst Day Centre in Westbourne once a week had risen from £15.30 to £55.62 – an increase of 260 per cent.

Steph said they were pleased with the service offered at the day centre but couldn’t understand why it was now almost as expensive as the daily rate for a live-in carer.

“When we first realised the price had gone up by so much, we thought there had been a mistake and perhaps they were charging us for several days a week instead of just one,” she said.

“But we phoned Bournemouth council and they said they had introduced a new charging system and they had sent us a letter. If it had gone up for £10 or so we wouldn’t have thought much of it but it is such a big jump.”

Andy Sharp, service director for adult social care, said the new charging system was introduced in April, following extensive consultation.

“The charging aims to give greater consistency and fairness to all and to reflect the actual cost of services which are currently heavily subsidised by the council,” he said. “It will also ensure that residents contribute towards the cost of their care based on their ability to pay using a financial assessment.

“Whilst charges are based on the actual cost of the services, people will only pay as much as they can afford determined by their financial assessment. Anyone who is unhappy with their financial assessment can request a review at any time.”