Concerns Raised Over Future of Elderly Day Centre Provision in Wrexham

Concerns have been raised over the future of day centre provision for older people in Wrexham – with services in two local facilities currently under threat.

Wrexham Council are currently consulting day centre users and staff of the Caia Park Family Centre and Plas Yn Rhos about proposals to close the day care provision at both the facilities.

Proposals to close the day centre provision for older people was first mooted in Wrexham Council’s Difficult Decisions document, which notes that the authority has been ‘gradually moving away from being a direct provider of traditional ‘day centre’ provision for older people’.

As a result of the development of alternative services, Wrexham Council say they have seen the demand for places in Council run day centres reduce.

It is estimated that £47,000 in savings could be generated if the two day centres under consideration were closed.

Speaking at a meeting between the Safeguarding, Communities & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, Lead Member for Adult, Health and Social Care, Cllr Joan Lowe noted the proposals are being considered due to changes in the past few years.

Cllr Lowe said: “Older people are telling us they don’t want the conventional day service which has been used in the past.

“As part of the Social Services and Wellbeing Act, people now have choice. We’re out to give them a variety of choice and services so they can make the decision, it is not us saying that is where you go.”

“Things have changed dramatically in the past few years.”

However questions were asked regarding whether Wrexham Council had done enough to promote the day care facilities available at Plas Yn Rhos and Caia Park Family Centre.

Cllr Colin Powell noted that Wrexham Council had two ‘undersubscribed places’, asking: “If we are purchasing 211 spaces, are we deliberately not booking that in our own to show evidence to close ours down?”

Charlotte Walton, Head of Older People’s Services for Wrexham Council, said: “No, absolutely not. If anything we promote ours more – we make people aware of everything available to them.

“The trend has been there for the last few years, it’s reflective in a broader range of services. Not so much dependance on building based services.

“There are different ways people want to engage with services. There is nothing proactive on our part to run down usage in our department.”

She added that it is about ‘offering people choice’ and that the use in ‘day services has declined’, not just Wrexham Council services.

Commenting on the proposals, Cllr Andrew Bailey said: “The report says everyone wants to be independent in their own home, event the most independent needs a change from their four walls.”

Charlotte said: “We’re saying there is a decline, not saying there will be no need for building based services. Some need that level of expertise and security – for some a group setting is what they like.

“There is more than sufficient capacity spread out there for people who need or prefer building based services. It’s not about closing door on day services full stop.”

Calls for reassurance were also made by local member for the Ponciau ward Cllr Paul Pemberton, who said that locally people think all facilities at Plas Yn Rhos are closing.

He said: “I’m not going to beat around the bush, as local member I have a lot of concerns. The whole village thinks that Plas Yn Rhos is closing. I’m trying to tell them only the daycare is being looked at so the wider public can understand what we are looking at.

“I feel strongly about Plas Yn Rhos. It has been part of the community for many years and people are under the impression it is going close.”

Cllr Pemberton also asked if the building could be used as a ‘stepping stone’ and used to provide services for people who are ‘living on their own or taking a bed in a hospital’.

Charlotte confirmed that the proposals to stop the daycare provision had ‘no bearing on the future of the residential site’.

She added: “The day service is the only bit we are responsible for. The neighbouring part, which is the residential apartment is Clwyd Alyn.

“This is not about the future of Plas Yn Rhos, I can understand people connecting the two, but they are very separate.”

An amendment to the report was put forward by Cllr Powell, who proposed that the’ committee would request the Executive Board give consideration to the retention of some local authority day care in County Borough’.

He added: “I am not convinced on the argument. There is stronger one in Plas Yn Rhos but i am not convinced on the one in Caia Park. The argument doesn’t stand up as well as it does in Rhos.

“To remove all local authority provision is a failure.”

The amendment was seconded by Cllr Brian Cameron, who said: “What are we going to be left with Adult Health and Social Care as an authority?”

The amendment was voted down by councillors, with six voting in favour of the original recommendation of considering the content of the report.

A report on the consultation’s findings is due to be considered by the Executive Board on Tuesday 13 December.