Concerns over Dudley mental health care trust closure

People whose relatives receive support from the charity today say they have been left 'disgusted' by the process and fear having no care support.

Family Care Trust runs a community care project from a base in Parsons Street, Dudley, for around 50 people and their families.

Among the services it provides are social gatherings for people with a range of mental health conditions and support for carers at people's homes

Around 30 people gathered to discuss their concerns on future help and support when the charity closes in Dudley on January 31.

Campaigners said they were concerned to only find out the about the closure days before the closure - leaving them uncertain of the future support available to their loved ones.

Ken Jeffries, aged 60, is a full time carer for his wife Jackie, 53, who suffers from fits and has been treated for depression.

Jackie visits weekly gatherings with friends and has visits by trust staff at home.

"We were sad to hear it was closing as she has friends here and it has been a big help," said Mr Jeffries of John Corbett Drive, Amblecote, Stourbridge.

Family Care Trust chief executive Phil Carpenter today said it was 'no longer financially viable' to run its services in the borough - but refused to reveal the cost of the contract.

He says the organisation had given notice three months ago to Dudley Council - and said the trust were 'upset' alongside service users that alternatives had yet to be found.

But Mr Carpenter, who took over at the trust last year, admitted that officials had not consulted with people using the service over the decision.

Talks have been held with council chiefs and Dudley and Walsall Mental Health NHS Partnership Trust to find alternative organisations .

He says Family Care Trust had not fully informed people until now as it expected Dudley Council to have organised alternative provision.

"We could not make the scheme financially viable," Mr Carpenter said.

Asked whether people receiving care services were consulted, Mr Carpenter said: "The service users were not. The staff were. Once we made the decision and the staff were informed of it we have gone through a consultation process as we would with any other service offering them alternative options."

Mr Carpenter said the contract had been due to end in March last year but due to an ongoing review of services by the Dudley Council it was rolled over for six months before being extended again - but Mr Carpenter said this created uncertainties for the trust.

"We fully expected to be informed of the new service providers within a short space of time with the anticipation that we would work alongside them over the ensuing weeks to the end of our notice period to ensure a smooth transition period.

"Now for whatever reasons we haven't been given that."

Dudley councillor Dave Branwood, who is in charge of adult and community services, said: "We have been working with the Family Care Trust after they informed us of their decision to no longer provide the service to the council.

"We are currently speaking to people who use the service to find alternative provision for them in the Dudley borough and will continue to work with them and their families throughout this process."

Dudley and Walsall Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, deputy chief executive, Marsha Ingram, added: "We are currently in discussions with the Family Care Trust to ensure that our service users who have been supported by them will continue to have their needs met appropriately."