Families 'on the brink' renew fight to save much-valued adult care service from closure

Outraged families are renewing a campaign against Buckinghamshire Council amid concerns of a vital adult care service closure.

Burnham Short Breaks Day Centre has gained substantial support following campaigns against its proposed closure, receiving a petition of more than 2,800 signatures so far.

Council plans to close the centre stem from their wider strategy to reduce costs, as they aim to reduce day care centres from seven to three.

Having been around for multiple decades, and known for its specialist staff and facilities, Burnham Short Breaks plays a crucial role in providing for those with disabilities or complex needs.

Public concerns over the closure stem from worries about the detrimental impact it may have on those so dependent on it, including accessibility arrangements and other care centres being run down and old.

On March 29, families and supporters gathered in a rally-style protest amid news of Buckinghamshire Council's proposed closure, gathering widespread support, including from Beaconsfield MP Joy Morrissey.

Now, a new campaign, set for July 19, again calls for public support against the decision to close Burnham Short Breaks down.

Hazel Howe, a parent of a service user, says the new rally is gaining momentum and drawing major support.

She said: “I think it's going to be quite a big turnout.”

She says 23 councillors have confirmed their attendance, as well as several parish councillors, MPs and other long-term supporters.

Hazel says parents are worried about the threat to the overnight respite service, which offers a much-needed break for family carers.

Some service users have over 100 nights of respite a year, she said.

“[There are] 21 families struggling because there aren’t [any] external providers for rolling weekly respite [that Burnham Short Breaks] has.

“We have to remind Bucks council that we’re saving millions of pounds [for them] by caring for our loved ones at home instead of using residential care.”

Hazel states that parents of service users are ‘on the brink’ and ‘on the verge of breakdowns’ with uncertainties over whether overnight respite will be gone.

She has also criticised Bucks Council for how long the consultation is taking.

“We’re coming up to nine months of this waiting game,” she said. “The uncertainties are causing strain on people’s mental health.”

She also criticised the lack of communication from the council, saying the administration has shown ‘little or no support for the families.

“No one high up has even come in and spoken to any of these service users,” she said. “That’s really quite poor.

“Not one person has phoned us up and said: ‘How are you doing? How's your loved one?”

Isobel Darby, Buckinghamshire Council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said:

“We fully recognise how important this service is in giving carers a valuable break from their caring role, understanding their tireless commitment to their loved ones.

“I want carers to know how much we value what they do, and any future arrangements will remain centred around their needs and the needs of those they are caring for.

“We have held a 15-week consultation including a number of face-to-face events in all centres, including Burnham Day Centre… and we have had more than 600 responses.

“These include some alternative suggestions that are now being reviewed and assessed.

“As the new cabinet member in this area, I have made it a personal priority to visit all seven centres that are part of this consultation, and I want to assure everyone that this is a meticulous and detailed exercise.

“No final decision has yet been taken – a full consultation findings report, as well as the final proposed model for our day opportunities and night respite service, will go to the council’s cabinet later this summer.

More information is on the consultation page at www.tinyurl.com/ycyr7kzf