CALLS were made at a town meeting last week with the chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, for an extension of the three-month notice period to help the community find a way to preserve its ‘lifeline’ day centre, which is due to close on March 31.

But so far the Alzheimer’s Society was unable to confirm if it would agree the six month extension requested, as granted to other branches it has already closed – or any of the other requests made.

County, borough and town councillors joined the Hospital League of Friends representatives and carers to put their concerned directly to the society’s chief executive Jeremy Hughes, and senior representatives from the charity, which was founded in Haslemere in 1979.

Haslemere Mayor Sahran Abeysundara said: “The town council and other local organisations are absolutely committed to try to maintain a day care facility at the Marjorie Gray Hall for those dementia patients who need it so badly.

“At the meeting, I asked to be provided with assistance in three areas – firstly, a three-month extension to the notice period, bringing Haslemere in line with other Surrey day care centres who have been given six months’ notice; secondly, assistance in producing a detailed cost and project plan covering all actions required in taking over the running of the Haslemere day centre; and thirdly, assistance in facilitating the transfer of the lease on the Marjorie Gray Hall to whoever takes over the running of the day centre.

“To date, none of this has been received by the town council, but we are hopeful we can find a solution and will continue to work hard to find a satisfactory resolution.”

Chris Wyatt, the Alzheimer’s Society regional operations manager for the South East, said:“It was a very difficult decision to close our Surrey day centres, but with a consistently low attendance rate these services are no longer sustainable for us to run.

“Following the meeting in Haslemere last week to answer any questions from carers, we also met with the town council and the mayor to discuss how we can move forward.

“While we look into alternative avenues and work closely with other care providers, adult social care teams and Jeremy Hunt MP, we will continue to support everyone who attends our day centres in Surrey through these changes.

“We are absolutely committed to helping everyone affected by the closures during this difficult period.

“Alzheimer’s Society continues to provide support for people affected by dementia in Surrey through our dementia navigators, Side by Side services and our Dementia Friendly Surrey initiative.”