CONCERNS over the future of the Chase Hospital Day Centre have been allayed following an assurance by Hampshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Hampshire County Council Adult Services, that it will be "business as usual" for service users despite a change of provider. The day care centre provides a vital service for sufferers of alzheimers and dementia and their carers for three days of the week. For many years the PCT has been contracted by HCC adult services to provide that service. But the contract is due to end on March 31 and, according to Hampshire PCT, it does not wish to tender for the new contract because provision of social care is no longer considered a core business for the PCT. The Limes, based at Alton Community Hospital will also be subject to a change of provider. Hampshire PCT informed HCC during the summer of 2007 that it was no longer able to provide the service and would not therefore be tendering for the business. According to PCT day services project manager Sue Price, while the PCT will no longer be contracted to provide the service, it will still be providing financial support by jointly commissioning the service with HCC adult services. In addition, the PCT will continue to allow the day service provider to use the Chase Day Care Centre and the facility at The Limes. "It is not about cutting services," stressed Ms Price: "I have every confidence that HCC adult services will have found another service provider, and our permanent staff will transfer over to that provider, so there will be no change for those using the service." However, the uncertainty surrounding the change of provider has caused concern with both residents and councillors. Volunteer at the centre, Mary Cullen said: "It is ridiculous that these centres in Hampshire are being closed when more and more folk in the future will need these services – the need for better planning is much wanted." Negotiations to find a new provider are currently taking place, and HCC executive member for adult services Felicity Hindson is confident that the running of the centre will be unharmed by the change. She said: "Following a tendering process, adult services department is currently in negotiations with a potential new provider of day care and will be in a position to confirm who the new provider will be by late January 2008." She added: "Adult services will be working closely with the PCT to ensure a seamless transition between providers, and that ultimately our service users continue to receive a quality service that best meets their needs. The PCT has agreed that a new provider can rent the premises from April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2009."
