Cuts to services for severely disabled children have been branded “a slap in the face” by a horrified mother.
Kelly Mackenzie claims plans to remove physiotherapy and occupational therapy support from schools across Fife will have a horrendous effect on the condition of her daughter, Millie.
The wheelchair-bound 13-year-old had a quarter of her brain removed seven years ago to help improve symptoms of epilepsy and is practically immobile.
Mrs Mackenzie said physiotherapy was therefore vital, but insisted parents were still being kept in the dark about their children’s future treatment more than two weeks after Fife Council announced the move as part of its budget process.
Her comments follow similar condemnation from another mother, Vicky Lovell, whose five-year-old son, Calum, will also be affected.
Mrs Mackenzie said she and her husband, Mark, had moved to Dunfermline so Millie could attend Calaiswood School, which offers specialist education for youngsters with additional support needs.
The school is now losing both of its support workers and parents say the lack of information is causing anxiety.
“I have letters from orthopaedic surgeons who say it is important that Millie gets regular physio from somebody that knows her and knows her story,” said Mrs Mackenzie.
“She has scoliosis which causes curvature of the spine and wears a spinal jacket.
“Posturally, physiotherapy is very, very important and is part of an ongoing rehabilitation programme for Millie.”
She added: “While she will still get physiotherapy, the support workers who deliver the programmes in between appointments will no longer be there and we still don’t know what’s happening.
“The people who make these decisions have no idea what our day-to-day lives are like.”
Head of education and children’s services, Shelagh McLean, said: “The services currently available, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy, will continue to be delivered through clinics or the community or as agreed in any new contract with the NHS and Fife Council’s education service.”
Ms McLean added the council was in the process of informing schools and parents about the change.