A SHADOW minister visited Worcester to talk to pensioners about what care issues concern them the most.

Liz Kendall, a Labour MP for Leicester West, visited the University of Worcester to see what is being done to train tomorrow’s professionals in dementia care.

After touring the facilities she went to the Guildhall to get feedback from the public and answer questions on where care services should go in the future.

Her trip coincided with the announcement that about £32 million was being slashed from adult care services at Worcestershire County Council over the next three years, with more care using assistive technology being introduced.

The shadow minister for care and older people said the council has got to be careful it does not end up too reliant on emerging assistive technology.

Mrs Kendall said: “The university is doing a lot of pioneering work in this area and it’s excellent to see.

“When it comes to the technology aspect of care, it does have a role to play but my concern would be if we use it too much, you lose that human interface.

“Assistive technology won’t get a person up, dressed or fed and can’t provide the same level of support.”

Councillor Joy Squires, prospective parliamentary candidate for Worcester, said: “ I was very pleased to be able to show Liz the excellent work being done by the University of Worcester to train health professionals in dementia care and the wider care needs of elderly people.

“How we meet the needs of an ageing population is one of the most important challenges we face as a society.

“I want older people to be able to face the future with confidence, knowing that they will be cared for respectfully, professionally and at a cost they can afford.”