Shropshire Council approve changes to adult day services
Two adult day centres in Shrewsbury are to close whilst two others in Oswestry will be merged under plans approved by Shropshire Council today.
Hartley’s and Sabrina Court day centres in Shrewsbury will close with a new facility created in Oswestry to replace Lorne Street and Avalon day centres, which will not close until the new facility is ready.
No decisions have yet been made about the location of the new facility, which will provide more comfortable and appropriate accommodation, but options include the possibility of using the former Willow Street medical centre building.
The future provision of day services in Bridgnorth, currently provided at Innage Lane, will be reviewed with the people and organisations directly involved.
The decision was made by Tim Barker, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for adult services during a meeting behind closed doors at Shirehall in Shrewsbury.
Cllr Tim Barker said:
“These proposals are not about no longer meeting the needs of individuals or their families. Rather, the proposals are about meeting their needs in a different – and in our view, more positive – way. That may still include going to a day centre, but could also involve a variety of other activities too.
“Some people have interpreted these proposals as meaning that people would stop receiving care, leaving their carers or families without respite. This is not the case, as the work we have already carried out with people who no longer attend day centres shows.
“We have been talking to people who attend day centres, and their families and carers, as well as day centre staff, about the changes and how they might affect them. These plans are essentially the next steps following major consultations we have done in recent years about the future of adult social care, so I don’t think they have come as a major surprise to anyone.
“Those consultations showed us that the vast majority of people wanted more control to choose the type of care and activities they received as part of their care package.
"That’s what these proposals are all about, and I would urge people not to focus on the fact that some buildings will close, but to look at the extra choice people will have to ensure that the care they receive is right for them.”
Councillor Barker also agreed with the report’s recommendation to develop the commerciality of day services provided at Oak Farm, Greenacres Farm, Patchworks and Maesbury Metals to secure their long-term future.
