BLIND PENSIONER of 93
vows to fight on for a hot meal AND her independence.

AT 93 and with failing sight, Frances Hoy had tried to maintain her independence as much as possible.

But when she was registered blind, the pensioner had gratefully accepted the assistance of a carer to prepare her a hot lunch every .day.

Now Miss Hoy, who walks with the aid of a frame, has been told by Highland Council that it has been forced to withdraw the service
because of cutbacks and suggested she take frozen meals instead.  Mrs Hoy, who lives in sheltered accommodation in Fortrose, Inver-
ness-shire, used to be visited for an hour every lunchtime by a council carer, who would cook her a meal.

She was also visited most nights to ensure that she was safely put to bed. But that too has been axed.  Highland Council - which last
week backtracked over plans to privatise seven care homes in the region - wrote to her, saying: 'Your lunchtime visits will be reduced to half an hour. Home carers will no longer be able to cook you a hot meal but will be able to prepare you a cold snack, or heat up a frozen meal.

But Miss Hoy has vowed to take on the council. She said: 'I cannot understand the mentality of this.
How dare they tell me what food I should eat.  'All I am asking for is the help the government says I should have. The council receives money to do that, but what does it do with it?

'I won't eat frozen meals and if they think I will, they have another think coming.'

Groups for the elderly and politicians also condemned the move, accusing the council of targeting vulnerable people. Sheila MacKay, of the Highland Senior Citizens Network, said; 'For a 93-year-old to be put in this position is simply unacceptable. It does not measure
up to care in the community standards.

'I know Highland Council is pushed and there is a big problem with funding but it is about time it gave up some of the politically-
correct rubbish money is being spent on and concentrated on essential services, care for the elderly being one of them.'

Highland and Islands Tory MSP Mary Scanlon said the authority could be breaking the law under the Community Care Act 2001, which outlines services which should be provided locally. She added: 'I Highland Council does not have enough money it has to get more from the Scottish Executive or use the money it has more effectively. 'This example illustrates that, sadly, it does not pay to try to be independent. Miss Hoy tried to do something for herself and is punished for it.'
Highland Council said it had no alternative but to cut back on the services offered. Housing and social work committee convener Margaret Davidson said: 'The service is doing its best, but we just do not have the money to provide all the care we would like.'

She said the council had promised to review Miss Hoy's case if she contacted it.