Mixed reaction to day centre closure plans (From Bucks Free Press)

Mixed reaction to day centre closure plans

4:38pm Wednesday 2nd June 2010 in News By Oliver Evans

CHARITIES and health watchdogs today gave a mixed reaction over plans to close most of Buckinghamshire’s council-run day centres.

They said new or refurbished centres could benefit OAPs and people with learning disabilities – but others raised fears over travel times.

Buckinghamshire County Council today announced plans to cut its 22 centres to three major facilities with two smaller units.

It means five in High Wycombe will shut and Beaconsfield, Denham, Bourne End and Princes Risborough will be left without any centre at all.

Kevin Ayrton, service manager for the British Red Cross, which runs some centres on behalf of BCC, said he was concerned about its affect on pensioners.

He said: “It certainly wouldn’t be good for the elderly and frail because they find it difficult to travel.

“Most of it looks like it is geared to the younger, more active type person. The frail and elderly are more dependent.”

Yet he said he was keeping an ‘open mind’ and elements of the plan were ‘exciting’.

Jean Rein, chief executive of the Talkback charity, which promotes the views of people with learning difficulties, broadly welcomed the scheme.

Bosses have said many visitors do not want to be in centres with others but pursuing other activities.

She said: “People don’t currently have as much choice and as much influence as they can and should have over how they spend their days.

“They will get the right support in the right way in order to make the most of the opportunities.” People now can get cash to spend how they like.

Mrs Rein said: “It has the potential to be a very good thing.”

But Brian Gilbert, a member of the Buckinghamshire Local Involvement Network, the official social care watchdog, said while he welcomed the scheme he had travel concerns.

He said: “My concern is the transport side because there will be problems getting around.

“I can’t see, on the information given today, that there is anything major wrong with the plans, but the consultation could change that.”

Riki Akhter-Hussain, of Bucks Signposting and Advocacy, said: “My concerns are about the staff and the existing day centres – what is going to happen to them?”