Coseley dementia centre to close its doors
A day centre for dementia sufferers is to close because council bosses say not enough people use the service.
The Roseville Gateway centre in Coseley supports around 50 people a week but will shut by September 30 following a review of dementia services in the Dudley borough.
Council bosses say those who attend the Coseley centre will be transferred to others in the borough – the Brett Young Gateway in Halesowen and the Crystal Gateway in Stourbridge.
They said all three were 'running below expected capacity' at present and the closure would save £443,000.
Councillor Qadar Zada, cabinet member for adult social care, said: "The council is committed to improving people's wellbeing, maintaining or promoting their independence and reducing the need for formal care support through our dementia gateway service.
"The success of dementia advisors, who provide early help to people when they receive their diagnosis to remain living in their local communities, has resulted in fewer people visiting the borough's three dementia gateways.
"Following a review, the decision has been taken to close the Roseville Gateway by September 30. We have written to those who attend the service and we will be supporting them to transfer to Crystal and Brett Young gateways.
"People in Coseley with dementia will still be able to have an assessment of need at home.
"They will also be able to access the dementia advisor service which can travel to people's homes to provide tailored support and advice."
Bosses say staff will have the opportunity to move to vacant positions in the borough, or express an interest in voluntary redundancy, with compulsory redundancy a last resort.
Dudley Conservative leader Councillor Patrick Harley labelled the move a 'backward step'.
He added: "A lot of people use these services, including my own mother, and it is a hell of a job getting them places to attend on a regular basis.
"More money than ever is being pumped into adult social care so I can't see why they are penny-pinching like this.
"It's short-sightedness, we should be giving more money to organisations like this."
The dementia gateway service aims to improve wellbeing, maintain or promote independence and reduce the need for formal care support for adults.
