The Gibraltar Disability Society says it welcomed the invitation to meet with Minister Arias-Vasquez to discuss their concerns regarding rumours on the GHA/Care Agency merger. 

A statement from the Gibraltar Disability Society follows below:

The Society would like to thank the Minister for the very frank and informative discussion that was had. 

We have been reassured that this is not a merger as such but a way forward to provide more accountability in the running of not only the GHA and the Care Agency but also the ERS. Her assurances that the Care Agency at ground level, will remain a separate entity and will not in any way be assimilated into the GHA. The Disability Society sees this as a positive way forward. 

The Minister has previously spoken about publishing a Patients Charter, setting out patients’ rights and responsibilities within the health and care service. That being said, we wish to remind all concerned that those who use the Disability Services are not patients but persons with disabilities; and as such would propose that a Charter of Rights for Social Care must also be published. 

The Society realises that the Minister has a very busy and hectic schedule but would like to suggest a meeting with parents would be beneficial to all.