Woodlands respite care centre sale boost (From York Press)
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Woodlands respite care centre sale boost
9:31am Thursday 5th January 2012 in News
Woodlands respite care centre sale boost
THE future of a York respite care centre for multiple sclerosis sufferers has been secured with the completion of its sale to a new company.
The MS Society said it had successfully transferred Woodlands, situated off Hull Road, into the ownership of a new company affiliated to Christchurch Court, a leading provider of rehabilitation services.
A spokeswoman said: “The centre has been acquired by the company as a going concern, therefore securing its future and many jobs.”
Protesters staged a demonstration in 2010 amid fears that Woodlands would close down, after the society announced it no longer intended to run the centre.
But the society said yesterday the new service, in association with York NHS Foundation Trust, would provide assessment, rehabilitation and treatment for a wide range of neurological conditions including MS, and existing users could continue to be supported by the new owners. It said bookings for respite care were now being taken, with existing pricing agreements being maintained until the end of March.
Sheena Kidd, director of Christchurch Court, said it aimed to expand existing services, developing new areas of support for the existing MS client base and introducing new rehabilitation services for a range of neurological conditions.
Stuart Nixon, vice-chairman of the MS Society, said: “It’s been a long process to get to this stage, but we’re pleased that we’ve achieved what we set out to do.
“We’d like to thank our staff for continuing to provide excellent care and support for guests during this time.”
Hel n Highwater says...
2:00pm Thu 5 Jan 12
• The national MS Society gets its hands on the coffers, to do with as it pleases without providing any reasonable replacement for the respite centres; or, indeed, any clear explanation of how the money achieved will be used towards the needs of people with MS;
• The branches continue to get no assistance whatsoever from the national charity, whilst having to take on board the extra problems these closures are causing to the very people the national charity (ostensibly) sets out to assist;
• People with MS from far and wide (not just York) lose yet more vital resources the respite centre provides - particularly from the underutilization of specialist management, nursing staff and volunteers.
Whilst truly wishing the patients with acquired brain injuries the very best for their own rehabilitation, I do wish it hadn’t had to be at the expense of those with MS who so desperately relied on this service.