Fears over council day care services for patients

FAMILIES of patients using crucial daycare support in Birmingham are concerned about the future of the services.

Some centres providing care for those with disabilities and other needs have already faced cuts.

Day opportunity services are ‘planned activities’ that engage adults in social activities, and provide them with health and nutrition care and support with daily living.

They enable those who have specific needs such as someone who may have suffered a stroke or those who are at risk of isolation to engage in social and organised activities, as well as providing regular breaks to families and carers.

A report by Healthwatch into day services in Birmingham found that “attending and participating in activities at day centres has a positive impact on people’s mental health, social contacts, physical function and quality of life.”

It also found that there is a lot of uncertainty around whether the services will receive the funding they need to continue.

Birmingham City Council has said it is currently reviewing the services to decide on the best course of action.

Richard Burden, chair of Healthwatch Birmingham, said: “It is imperative that we see more concrete proposals.”

Helen Sherwin, whose mum has been using the services for around three years after she suffered a stroke, said the services have been a “tremendous aid” in her mother’s recovery and she hopes they will continue to be so.

A city council spokesman said: “Day opportunities are really important to support the independence and wellbeing of citizens with disabilities and other needs, along with their carers, and we must ensure they can meet individual needs and interests, rather than a one size fits all.”