Saturday
20
April
Care centres to remain closed until the summer
11/01/2021 @ 05:20
Two day centres in Newtown and one in Llanidloes will remain closed until at least August.
The centres, along with others across Powys, have been closed since March 2020 when the first coronavirus lockdown was announced and Powys County Council went into emergency mode.
The Park Street Day Centre, currently used as a Cover-19 vaccine centre, the day centre at the Bethshan Nursing Home, and Maesywennol at Llanidloes, are all remaining closed.
Due to calls to reopen them over the summer, an assessment was made and it was decided that it was not possible to open them safely.
This decision was to be reviewed after six months.
A further assessment has now been made and recommended the centres remain closed for the time being.
The report says that in November 34 members of staff who would normally work in the centres are working elsewhere in the authority, redeployed to more “business critical” activities.
Head of Adult Services, Michael Gray, said: “The most recent risk assessment concludes that it remains unfeasible to re-open the day centres and day services following the initial six month period.
“This report asks to maintain closure of day centres and day services for a further six months, up to August 12.
“This acknowledges the inability of opening up day settings during the pandemic.”
Mr Gray added that the time would also be spent discussing what services can be provided to those who used the centres.
Mr Gray added: “The majority of individuals who attend day services do so in order to attain social interaction while receiving care during the day.
“It is not currently possible to provide such a service due to the requirements of guidance to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
Since their closure last March Mr Gray said that individuals had been helped in different ways such as supported living, care at home, family support or chosen not to receive an alternative.
He also welcomed the roll out of the vaccine in Wales but pointed out that the World Health Organisation estimates that 65 to 70 per cent of the population would need to be immunised before situation can be “declared safe.”
The day centres are:
Park Day Centre, Newtown
Maesywennol, Llanidloes
Arlais Day Centre, Llandrindod Wells
Arosfa, Brecon
Canolfan, Ystradgynlais
Day Centre at Bethshan, Newtown
East Radnor Day Centre, Presteigne
Hafal Crossroads, Machynlleth
In September 2020, Welshpool Town Council closed the Ann Holloway Day Centre permanently, with the loss of five jobs.
The centres, along with others across Powys, have been closed since March 2020 when the first coronavirus lockdown was announced and Powys County Council went into emergency mode.The Park Street Day Centre, currently used as a Cover-19 vaccine centre, the day centre at the Bethshan Nursing Home, and Maesywennol at Llanidloes, are all remaining closed.
Due to calls to reopen them over the summer, an assessment was made and it was decided that it was not possible to open them safely.
This decision was to be reviewed after six months.
A further assessment has now been made and recommended the centres remain closed for the time being.
The report says that in November 34 members of staff who would normally work in the centres are working elsewhere in the authority, redeployed to more “business critical” activities.
Head of Adult Services, Michael Gray, said: “The most recent risk assessment concludes that it remains unfeasible to re-open the day centres and day services following the initial six month period.
“This report asks to maintain closure of day centres and day services for a further six months, up to August 12.
“This acknowledges the inability of opening up day settings during the pandemic.”
Mr Gray added that the time would also be spent discussing what services can be provided to those who used the centres.
Mr Gray added: “The majority of individuals who attend day services do so in order to attain social interaction while receiving care during the day.
“It is not currently possible to provide such a service due to the requirements of guidance to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
Since their closure last March Mr Gray said that individuals had been helped in different ways such as supported living, care at home, family support or chosen not to receive an alternative.
He also welcomed the roll out of the vaccine in Wales but pointed out that the World Health Organisation estimates that 65 to 70 per cent of the population would need to be immunised before situation can be “declared safe.”
The day centres are:
Park Day Centre, Newtown
Maesywennol, Llanidloes
Arlais Day Centre, Llandrindod Wells
Arosfa, Brecon
Canolfan, Ystradgynlais
Day Centre at Bethshan, Newtown
East Radnor Day Centre, Presteigne
Hafal Crossroads, Machynlleth
In September 2020, Welshpool Town Council closed the Ann Holloway Day Centre permanently, with the loss of five jobs.
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service
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