PhilCorrigan published Hundreds of vulnerable adults to lose day centre access following…

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UP TO 300 disabled adults will lose access to council-run day centres within two years following the approval of modernisation plans.

Staffordshire County Council yesterday rubber stamped the decision to close two day services for adults with learning disabilities as part of wider changes to provision.

Families have criticised the council's plans to encourage those with less complex needs to access non-council services in the community.

Campaigners heckled cabinet members throughout the discussion, claiming the proposals would result in vulnerable people being left to 'wander the streets'.

But Alan White, cabinet member for care, insisted the move from building-based facilities to community-based provision was 'best practice'.

He said the transition to the new model would take up to two years, and that no service user would be barred from a day centre without alternative services being available.

Mr White said: "In our experience, the outcomes from modernising services have been extremely positive.

"The consultation results show that people don't want change. However, the evidence from experts points towards the direction where we are proposing to go. A consultation isn't a referendum. If 70 per cent of people want no change, we will have to work doubly hard to implement the changes in the right way." Around 440 people currently use day services across the county, which cost 8.6 million to run.

Under the council's plans the centres in Kidsgrove and Codsall will close, while the facility in Leek will be downsized.

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PhilCorrigan published Hundreds of vulnerable adults to lose day centre access following...