A council has been accused of “giving up” on an adult care centre in Malvern.
It has been confirmed that adult respite care will be permanently moved away from Osborne Court, despite hopes that it could be saved.
Worcestershire County Council had been in talks with Herefordshire and Worcestershire NHS Health & Care Trust, which runs the service, but it was decided that there was no way to keep it at its current site.
It comes after the trust gave notice last year that care provision at Osborne Court, as well as Church View in Bromsgrove, would end.
Existing agreements with the trust will end on June 30 and services will be recommissioned.
‘Giving up’
West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has expressed her disappointment, saying the county council has given up on reaching a solution.
She has also criticised Councillor Mel Allcott, the county council’s current cabinet member for adult social care, as well as her predecessor, claiming they have not met with parents and service users
Cllr Allcott has said she is planning to meet with them once a new service is up and running.
Osborne Court in Malvern (Image: Google Street View)
Dame Harriett said: “I met with the parents and carers of adults with complicated care needs
and heard how vital the respite care service is and how valued the NHS support is for both users and carers.
“Sadly both councillors responsible for adult social care chose not to do this and they also declined to try and find a workable solution.
“I’m waiting for any feedback from parents and carers who will now have to use an alternative specialist provision and I’ll keep an open mind until I have heard how they people with extra care needs are coping with the change.
“I am assured that the children’s provision, which is also offered at Osborne Court, is being preserved but this is clear evidence that councillors should keep a clearer eye on people who are directly and seriously affected by service cuts.”
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The council’s response
(Image: Submitted)
Cllr Allcott said that the new service will be ready on time, acknowledging that it had been a “difficult transition” for service users.
“The County Council has worked to expand and enhance its own in-house Replacement Care offer to meet the needs of individuals and families,” she said.
“We have been providing regular updates to families throughout this process, both directly through Frequently Asked Questions and through face‑to‑face meetings.
“The service will be ready on time, despite what we recognise has been a very difficult transition.
“After meeting with the council officers, many families have provided helpful and informative feedback, especially useful for those members of staff who will be directly managing the service.
“Once the new service is up and running, I am looking forward to meeting with service users and their families and carers, to move the new service forward.”