Fight for Ferryhill respite care centre 'not over' (From The Northern Echo)

Fight for Ferryhill respite care centre 'not over'

8:40am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in News By Duncan Leatherdale

FIGHTING ON: Stephen Willey with his mother, Sandra Gash

THE fight against the closure of a respite care centre in County Durham is not over, lawyers have warned, as more families express their devastation at a council’s decision.

Last week, Durham County Council announced it will be closing the Dean Lodge Respite Care Centre in Ferryhill, to save £510,000, prompting a furious response from the families of people who rely on its services.

Lawyers representing a number of families are investigating the possibility of launching a legal challenge against the way the decision to close was reached, and are also appealing for anyone with experience of the council’s suggested alternatives to contact them.

Simon Garlick, from Ben Hoare Bell, said a meeting with his clients will be held today to look at the next step in their opposition to closure.

Durham County Council has suggested several options for people to use instead of Dean Lodge, including Hawthorn House, a newer, cheaper facility in Newton Hall, shared living or in the independent care home sector.

Mr Garlick said he would like to speak to anybody with experience of those places as well as those from Dean Lodge, on 0191-275-2626.

One family from Crook has already contacted the firm and told The Northern Echo of their anger over the closure.

Stephen Willey, 27, from Crook, has a range of severe disabilities and has been attending Dean Lodge for seven years, spending between two days and a week there every month.

His mother, Sandra Gash, said: “Stephen is very happy going to the centre and it is a rare chance for him to be with other people and experience something a bit different.

“It is the only break I get and is so important for both of us.”

His uncle, Michael Nicholson, said Mr Willey enjoys the centre, but is likely to harm himself if he is forced to change.

Ms Gash said her son also has circulation problems, which means prolonged periods in a car can cause painful swelling in his legs lasting for several days.

She said: “At the moment, getting to Ferryhill is all right, but much further and the problems would start.”

Lesley Jeavons, head of Adult Care at the council, said “We will make any transition as smooth as possible and ensure that any new service is fully aware of care and health needs, personal preferences and any other important factors.”