A shake-up of day care for those living with dementia has forced the closure of two Angus centres.
The Beech Hill Day Care Centre in Forfar and the Provost Johnston Day Care Centre in Montrose are set to close as part of a review carried out by the Angus Health and Social Care Partnership.
The move has been met with caution by local councillors who have asked for assurances those currently attending the axed facilities will continue to have access to a local service.
The announcement also caused fear and confusion in Forfar over the future of the Deirdre Knight Day Care Centre at Beech Hill, a separate facility which is unaffected and will continue to operate as normal.
Bill McLeod, chairman of the management committee at the Deirdre Knight Centre, said: “It is business as usual and the rumours are totally wrong.
“I am sorry about the confusion. The Deirdre Knight Day Care Centre will continue to deal with mainstream day care clients and there is no intention for us to close.”
Forfar and District SNP councillor Lynne Devine said: “I was led to believe there have been very few people using Beech Hill Day Care Centre.
“It’s never good to see things closing down but if people aren’t using them we can’t keep them open.
“I just hope the support they are given in the new situation is going to be up to standard and hope the partnership is going to ensure that.”
Colin Brown, Independent councillor for Forfar and District, said he had been assured the closures were due to “over-provision”.
“I am hoping they will maintain a service in Forfar. A lot of people couldn’t’ cope without day care, it is probably an essential part of their life.
Commenting on the imminent closure of the Provost Johnston Day Care Centre, Tommy Stewart, Independent Councillor for Montrose and District, said: “We have been told there are voluntary day care centres in Kirrie, Forfar, Arbroath, Brechin and Montrose and a health and social care partnership day care centre in Carnoustie.
“They will all provide day care for any person requiring it.
“All these centres have up-skilled staff to provide care and support for people with more complex needs if they deteriorate.
“We are trying to cut costs because of the financial situation but it has to be done effectively.”
The Angus Health and Social Care Partnership conducted a service review with the aim of providing a sustainable voluntary day care service in each locality.
It believes the impact will be “positive” and the ethos fits with dementia standards in that continuity and provision of care in a familiar environment are key and integral.
A spokesman said: “Alternative arrangements are being made for attendees to the Beech Hill Day Care unit and the Provost Johnston Day Care Centre when they are closed as part of the review of mainstream and dementia-specific day care in Angus.
“Service users, their families and stakeholders have been advised of the closure and are in the process of being contacted again to make specific arrangements for day care within their local area.
“The review team has worked with day care providers and staff collectively to ensure sustainable day care across Angus and also with voluntary day care providers to look at the requirements specifically for the individuals who currently receive dementia-specific day care.
“They are being supported through this transition period.”
