A PUBLIC meeting has been called to discover if Worcestershire people are getting value for money from social services.

Service users will have a chance to have their say on whether they think current charges are fair.

The What Do You Think? meeting will start at 1pm, on Monday, October 28, at County Hall and has been called following guidance from the Department of Health on fairer charging for home care, day care, transport and meals.

According to the Department of Health, the new policy must be "fair, support social inclusion and promote independence" and charges must be based on the level of service, cost of service and the user's ability to pay.

"With any such policy it is inevitable there will be some winners and some losers," said Councillor Liz Eyre, cabinet member responsible for social services.

"Before the policy is implemented and in order to make appropriate decisions, it is vital the users have their input into the policy.

"We must maximise exceptions and ensure that fairer charging does give all users sufficient to live on, take into account all the benefits they are due and take into account the heavy burden of disability-related expenses that they already have to bear.

Voluntary

"We hope that as many service users, voluntary organisations and service partners turn up to the meeting, as it's important that everyone feels that they have the opportunity to comment on the policy."

If you cannot attend the meeting but would like to submit your views, call freephone 0800 389 2896 or send an email to www.talkingyou-fairercharging@worcestershire.gov. uk