Fear for dementia patients as day care centres under threat (Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats)

Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrats <info@cambslibdems.org.uk>

Fear for dementia patients as day care centres under threat

May 20, 2010 6:38 PM

Fiona Whelan

Leading Cambridgeshire councillors are worried that patients with dementia could suffer following the news that day care provision at three centres will be lost.

HealthCare UK has decided not to renew its contract with Cambridgeshire County Council meaning that centres at Home Meadow, Toft, Home Close, Fulbourn and The Hillings, St Neots will no longer provide specialist dementia day care. Their closures follow the loss of similar provision in Sawston and Bassingbourn.

Fiona Whelan, Cambridgeshire Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Adult Social Care fought to keep Home Meadow, Toft open last year when it was threatened with closure.

Now she has joined forces with South Cambridgeshire District Councillors Bridget Smith and John G Williams to fight the latest changes.

She said: "This is extremely worrying news. These day centres provide specialist care for some of the county's most vulnerable adults and give their carers much needed respite.

"Across the county people are living longer and I am concerned that if this provision is lost it will not be replaced. The county council must look closely at this whole issue and work to find a way to keep these centres open."

Cllr Smith who represents Gamlingay, said: "I was horrified to learn about these closure plans. Over the last few years we have lost specialist dementia care in Sawston and Bassingbourn and now our nearest day care provider is to close.

"Some Gamlingay residents with advanced dementia already have to travel weekly to Melbourn and even Cambridge at a cost of over £25 a day for their travel alone. This is grossly unfair."

Cllr Williams who represents Fulbourn, added: "The people who use these day care centres and their carers rely on the specialist help they provide. The county council should not be sitting back allowing this to happen; there must be a way to maintain this provision."

Home Meadow, Toft is due to close on August 31; Home Close, Fulbourn on October 31 and The Hillings, St Neots on November 30.