CONCERNS over the future of Alton's Limes Day Centre have been allayed following an assurance that it will be 'business as usual' for service users despite a change of provider. Based at Alton Community Hospital, The Limes provides day services for mentally frail elderly people. For years the Hampshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) has been contracted by Hampshire County Council Adult Services to provide that service. But the contract is due to end on March 31 and the PCT does not wish to tender for the new contract because social care is no longer considered a core business for the PCT. 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. The service at the Chase Hospital Day Care Centre in Bordon is also run by the PCT and, like The Limes, it too will be subject to a change of provider. PCT day services project manager, Sue Price, said that 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 Limes at Alton Community Hospital and the facility at Chase Hospital. "It is not about cutting services," stressed Ms Price, who added: "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." HCC executive member for Adult Services Felicity Hindson confirmed: "Following a tendering process, Adult Services Department is currently in negotiations with a potential new provider of daycare 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." Catherine Smith, head of Adult Services for North East Hampshire said: "We are looking forward to welcoming the new provider into The Limes and The Chase and will work with them to ensure that there is minimal disruption to all clients. "The staff currently running the day centres will be given the opportunity of transferring to the new provider and will be able to reassure both clients and their carers that it is 'business as usual.'" Mr Hindson concluded: "Services for older people with dementia are a priority for both health and social care organisations, and the PCT and Adult Services department are working to ensure people in the area continue to have a service which meets their needs."