A group of Isle of Man carers are threatening to withdraw the care they provide, in protest against an alleged failure on the part of the Department of Health and Social Security to improve adult respite facilities.

ACHE - or Aggrieved Carers Helping Each other - has issued an ultimatum to Health Minister Eddie Teare, and the group says it will take action unless its demands are met within three months.

It wants the government to provide one overnight respite stay per week and holiday respite of seven days a year for each carer.

Carer John Shepherd says they've not taken the action lightly, and he believes Minister Teare's primary interest is saving money:

The demands were made in a letter, which was handed over to the DHSS yesterday.

The DHSS says the letter has been referred to the Acting Head of Social Services, who has been asked to provide information about the areas which are the issue of the complaint.

It adds that the matter is being investigated in the same way as any other written representations the department might receive.

The CLINCH organisation - Choice and Living in Community Homes - is holding its AGM next Tuesday (25th) at Centre 21 on Greenfield Road, Douglas, from midday.