Fresh anger at Prudhoe day care proposals

Jun 15 2009 by David Black, The Journal

GROWING anger at plans to close care homes sparked claims that a flagship £7m housing project would be undermined by the move.

Work is nearing completion on the extra care housing scheme at The Manors in Prudhoe, which will provide supported accommodation for 46 elderly and disabled people. It is the first project of its kind in the county and attracted more than £4m in Government funding.

Part of the complex is intended to be a new day care centre for the elderly, re-providing a facility currently located at the town’s Oakland House.

Now that element of the scheme is at risk of being scrapped, because Oakland House is one of seven day centres which the county council is proposing to close as part of a shake-up of adult care.

The Liberal Democrat-led authority is consulting on closing centres in Amble, Bedlington, Blyth, Ponteland, Prudhoe, Hexham and Haltwhistle. Instead, it wants to give elderly clients “personal budgets” to spend on getting out of the house and taking part in activities of their choosing.

The Government approved the Prudhoe extra care housing project more than two years ago, after a successful business case was submitted by the then Labour-led county council.