Day centres for elderly to shut

The day-care centres will stay open until an alternative is in place

Seven council-run day-care centres for the elderly are to close across Northumberland.

The decision was taken at a full council meeting on Wednesday evening at county hall in Morpeth.

Those opposing the decision say users will now find it difficult to access similar services easily and affordably.

Northumberland County Council said the decision was part of a modernisation programme and no centre would close until an alternative was in place.

Centres at Haltwhistle, Prudhoe, Hexham, Ponteland, Amble, Bedlington and Blyth are set to close.

Blyth daycare centre user Vicky Hindhaugh, 74, attended the meeting. She said she was "disgusted" with the decision taken.

She said: "There isn't anywhere in Blyth, you are limited where you can travel and it depends on your income.

'Political game'

"Taxi fares are expensive, and if you haven't got a driver you would have to use a taxi. You can't push your own wheelchair, you would need someone to push it."

She added that she thought the decision was part of a "political game" after the Conservatives joined the Liberal Democrats in supporting the motion.

Simon Reed, Northumberland County Council executive member for care and wellbeing, said: "We welcome members' commitment to modernise the adult care provision in Northumberland and realise that this has been an emotive issue and lengthy process but believe that we will open up an array of new opportunities for older people in their own communities.

"We will continue to protect our vulnerable residents by providing them with a system where they can choose to undertake activities of their choice or, if they wish, to still go to traditional day-care centre."

He added: "The council and care trust have guaranteed that no centre provision will close until service users have a suitable alternative in place."