Six more Leeds day centres to close

SIX more day centres in Leeds are set to close as part of ongoing plans to create “a new direction” for older people’s services.

The latest centres facing the axe are Woodhouse, Otley, Holbeck, Bramley Lawn, Naburn Court in Whinmoor and Doreen Hamilton in Osmondthorpe.

According to Leeds City Council, the changes are part of plans to “modernise” care services and provide more help for people with dementia.

Four centres were closed in the first phase of the shake-up in November last year, in Horsforth, Cross Gates, Richmond Hill and Pudsey.

The new proposals follow a drop in numbers at the city’s 21 day centres, with the council claiming that users are “voting with their feet”.

The plans to close the six centres will be discussed at next Wednesday’s meeting of the council’s executive board. Coun Peter Harrand, executive board member responsible for adult health and social care, said: “The time has come for us to reflect a number of changes in the way older people want their support to be arranged.

“Reducing numbers of people attending our traditional day centres tell us that this service is no longer providing what people want.

“In addition, rapidly increasing numbers of people taking up dementia services tell us that this is a trend we must take urgent steps to keep up with.”

According to the council, rising numbers of elderly people are abandoning the day centres in favour of local Neighbourhood Networks.

Plans to strengthen those schemes, which provide services and activities for older people, will also be considered by Executive Board.

As well as the closures, the new proposals include plans for three lead dementia rescource centres, supported by dementia day respite centres.

There will also be three “re-ablement” resource centres, as well as day centres, for people who need help to regain skills in independent living.

Coun Harrand added: “The changes we propose work together in a way which we believe will meet the diverse future needs of our elderly population. “People are living longer and there is a growing cohort of older people who need a high level of support.

“There are also growing numbers of older people who can live an active and independent lifestyle with different kinds of support, which the Neighbourhood Networks are so good at giving.

“We believe our proposals will give Leeds’s older people a service that is fit for the future.”