A COUNCILLOR is to call an urgent meeting with Riverside to see if its vital Careline service can be saved.

The service, which helps more than 4,000 elderly people, is under threat as Riverside needs to save cash.

Meanwhile, Carlisle Labour Party has launched an online petition to oppose the closure of the service which since Friday has collected more than 500 signatures.

A further 100 people signed the petition on Saturday when campaigners took to the streets of the city centre.

Beth Furneaux, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for health and care services, says she wants to discuss the implications of the proposed axing of the service.

She said: “I want to discuss the implications with Riverside and see how many service users are affected.”

Mrs Furneaux was “instrumental” in setting up Careline in the early 2000s when she was Labour group spokeswoman on housing.

She said: “The county council will be retendering on all of its Telecare schemes in the summer. I would like to have an urgent meeting to see if there is anything we can do to mitigate the impact.

“A lot of people will be worried as the service provides reassurances.”

Lee Sherriff, who chairs Carlisle Labour Party, said members were shocked to hear about the planned closure of the service, which employs 22 people.

She said: “Careline protects some of the most vulnerable people in our city. As Carlisle’s largest housing association, Riverside have a duty to do all that they can to save this service or, at the very least, to find another agency or organisation to take it over.

“We hope that by making them see how vital this service is to many, and how many people in the wider community support it, Riverside will reconsider their decision.’

A consultation with staff is now underway with the Unite union.

Riverside has confirmed it will not offer a ‘response service’ to Carlisle customers from April 1.