A RESPITE care base for multiple sclerosis sufferers in York under threat of closure could be saved after its owners revealed they were staging talks over switching its services to a new operator.

Residents at Woodlands Respite Care Centre are anxiously waiting to discover what will happen to the care they receive after the MS Society announced its plans for the Hull Road facility.

The organisation is looking at transferring the services provided at Woodlands and its two sister centres in England to other operators and has signed an “initial agreement with a prospective new provider”.

It is now in talks over how the move would work.

But the MS Society said the discussions will include the possibility of the 100-plus staff at the York centre being taken on by a new provider, but has not confirmed whether multiple sclerosis care would remain free under any new arrangements.

The society said it would now carry out “detailed negotiations” before a contract can be signed.

Chief executive Simon Gillespie said: “We appreciate this has been a difficult time for those affected and we are working as swiftly as we can to advance negotiations.

“We would like to thank our staff for continuing to provide excellent care and support for guests, their families and carers during this time.”

A spokeswoman for the society said details of the potential transfer, as well as whether services would be free, were still being discussed but said the new development was “a step in a positive direction”.

Rachel Higginbotham, of Strensall, whose MS began after her daughter, Becky, was born nine years ago and who visits Woodlands regularly, said: “It would have a dramatic effect on me.

“If it changes hands and I have to pay more, I would need to receive more money from the council because I can’t afford it myself.”

Andrew Keyworth, whose father is an MS sufferer and who has campaigned against the closure said: “This is something very close to my heart, because these centres offer a unique and much-needed respite service which cannot be matched in any other UK establishment.”