Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the closure of the Willows, Macclesfield.

The committee considered a report on this issue from Mike O’Regan.

It was explained that following a level 2 consultation which had been conducted in November, it was decided that the Willows day care centre in Macclesfield should be closed.

The Committee was informed that everyone in the centre would be assessed and alternative care provided where required in view of the closure.

Service users had been consulted in individual meetings to advise them and their care plans had been reviewed accordingly. Service users were disappointed about the closure and felt they had benefitted from the services provided at the Willows. However, CWP felt the service was social care rather than health care and such provision was not made available elsewhere in the Trust. Also, services provided at the Willows were accessible via other mainstream providers.

It was expected that the Willows service would close in mid January 2011; the impact of the changes would be monitored and service users would be supported to access mainstream services.

The Cheshire East Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee had also considered the issues and had noted the outcome of the consultations. The Committee had raised the question of whether the services at the Willows could be provided in different ways using the Voluntary Sector. The Committee had also asked that the possibility of setting up a pilot scheme for Admiral Nursing (which offered specialist nursing for dementia patients) in the area should be investigated jointly with the Primary Care Trust. The Cheshire West and Chester Scrutiny Committee would consider the report on the Willows later in the day.

RESOLVED: That the Report be received and the issues related to Admiral Nursing be considered at the next Mid Point meeting.