|
Ref: 37/08 31 January 2008
Future Of Three Support Centres To Be Shared With New Committees
Work on the future of Community Support Centres for older people in Cheshire is to be shared with the two newly established Joint Local Government Reorganisation Implementation Committees.
Their views will be taken into account before any closure decisions are reached
Cheshire’s Executive made the decision today (Thursday) not to make any immediate closure decisions at this stage because the modernisation process for Community Support Centres will last until 2011,after the proposed new authorities may come into being.
An understanding of the views of those involved who may be concerned in the running of any new councils is therefore essential.
The Implementation Committees will work until the elections in May for two shadow authorities.
Today’s decision centres on Lightfoot Lodge in Chester, Santune House in Crewe and Bexton Court in Knutsford.
“This makes excellent sense because the framework of closures would last until 2011 when the County Council may be disbanded” said Executive member for Adult Social Services Lynn Hardwick after the meeting.
“And therefore understanding of the views of these two new Committees is essential.
“They will have before them the closure proposals, the preparatory work and scrutiny reports.”
Continued County Councillor Hardwick: “A great deal of work has taken place and I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the consultation, especially people who use our centres and their relatives and carers.
“It will be up to the new committees to decide whether to recommend that the policy should be implemented to the two Shadow Authorities. In turn the Shadow Authorities will report to us.”
If the strategy is approved a specialist dementia wing would be created in Leftwich Green, Northwich and Lincoln House, Crewe before Santune House closed this autumn.
Phase Two would take place between 2009 – 2010 and will centre on the creation of dementia care wings and increased number of bedrooms at Hollins View, Macclesfield, Mountview, Congleton and Cypress House, Handforth. There would also be short stay beds in Knutsford in a new building jointly commissioned by the County Council and East Cheshire Primary Care Trust. Phase two would be completed with the closure of Bexton Court.
In Phase Three – between 2010 – 2011 – eight intermediate care beds and 20 place day care places would be made available in extra care housing developments and adaptations made to Curzon House, Chester and Sutton Beeches, Ellesmere Port prior to the closure of Lightfoot Lodge.
Concluded County Councillor Hardwick: “Many good things came out of the consultation.
“The three support centres were quoted as being examples of quality and included comments about trained and skilled staff, experience of good team working and strong management.
“Also picked out were caring and committed staff and a pleasant environment.”
-Ends-
Note To Editors: For further information please contact County Councillor Hardwick on 07801 045075, 01244 851200 and 0151 336 717.
|