Disabled children ‘left in lurch’ by closure of centre
DISABLED children have been left ‘in the lurch’ after a therapy centre was closed suddenly and its services relocated outside the borough.
Stepping Stones Therapy Unit in Haslingden was closed at the beginning of the month after the building failed fire safety checks.
Since the Warner Street unit’s closure, services have been temporarily moved to Balladen House in Rawtenstall, but parents have been told they must commute to Accrington for therapy sessions once the summer break finishes.
Helmshore councillor David Stansfield has been meeting with the NHS trust and parents following worries about the issue.
He said: “What I am concerned about is something else being taken away from Haslingden, when it’s something people here really want and need.
“There are also serious concerns about how people are going to get there if they haven’t got a car.
“Some of those children can’t be taken on buses or find it really difficult to cope with.”
He added: “It’s a very difficult time for the families and I hope we can reach a resolution that brings it back to Haslingden in the long term.”
The unit, which has been in operation for more than 30 years, provides specialist assessments, diagnosis, advice and ongoing intervention for pre-school children with complex neurodevelopmental problems.
Catherine Vozzolo, directorate manager for children’s services at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The safety and security of our patients is paramount and it was necessary to close Stepping Stones child development centre in Haslingden after the building was declared ‘unsafe’ in the latest fire and health and safety inspections.
“We have spoken to the families affected – both individually and as a group - to explain the situation and outline plans for a temporary relocation of the child development centre at Holly House in Accrington when the children return after the summer break.
“We fully understand how much the parents and children value the Child Development Centre and its staff.
“We are working hard to secure a long term, local future for the service and our plan is to discuss the options with parents next month.”
“It’s something people really want and need”