A Spalding respite centre that offer short breaks for disabled adults is set to close as officials turn to residential and nursing home provisions instead.
Lincolnshire County Council currently uses Cedar House in Pinchbeck Road as well a site in North Hykeham to provide breaks and emergency respite care for people with autism, learning difficulties or physical disabilities, writes Local Democracy Reporter Jamie Waller.
However, it is to close both claiming that using local facilities would give families more options and expand provisions more widely across Lincolnshire.
Documents submitted to the Adult Care Committee today (Wednesday, April 29) say the move would save the council £343,324 a year. The current cost to the authority for both is £1.1m.
The meeting heard some concerns the new system wouldn’t meet demand, but the authority believes it will make more spaces available.
Martyn Parker, assistant director of community protection and commissioning, told the committee: “The change would create a more flexible, locally-based service.
“It offers the potential to be closer to home, reducing disruption from travel, and would be able to deal easier with complex health needs.”
The committee heard that the current system was oversubscribed on weekends and holidays, but the buildings weren’t designed for short breaks, limiting capacity.
Spalding has seven beds with one retained for emergency placements.
Coun Marianne Overton said: “It sounds as though this will be reducing the overall capacity when there’s increasing need. A lot of things don’t add up with this.”
Council officers said there had been plenty of interest from care homes, and they expected more than enough to take up the offer.
If approved, the switch to residential and nursing home provisions would take place this August.
Coun Steve Clegg executive member for adult care and health, said: “Over the last few years, we’ve spoken to families about how we can better meet their needs.
“Around a quarter of them already make use of other care providers for short breaks and rolling out that approach on a wider scale would give all families greater choice, flexibility and support that’s closer to home.
“If the plans are approved, we’ll work closely with all involved to ensure there’s a smooth transition to the new arrangements. We’d also introduce a centralised booking system making it much easier for families to arrange a short break when needed.”
