DEEP concern has been voiced by consultant psychiatrists representing mental health services for older people in Waverley, following the shock announcement by Alzheimer’s Society it will close its Haslemere day centre in March, together with three other Surrey day centres.

The Marjorie Gray Hall opened as the Haslemere branch of Alzheimer’s Society in 1994 and became a flagship day centre as Cora Phillips, who co-founded the society in 1979, lived locally.

Announcing the closure, the society said: “We have worked closely with adult social care, the borough councils and Surrey County Council and the CCGs to promote the day centre and to address any barriers there may be for referrals but, sadly, this has not led to an increase in people using the service.

“This consistently low attendance has meant that we are unable to cover the costs associated with running the centre.”

Responding to the closure announcement, Health Secretary and South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt, who is Dementia Champion for South West Surrey, said: “This is terribly disappointing news as the centres do a marvellous job which I have been proud to see on many occasions. I will be seeking an urgent meeting with Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, to see what can be done. We have made so much progress in improving the care of people and families living with dementia, it would be a huge shame to take a step back.”

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Harry Boothby said: “I and my colleagues, who represent mental health services for older people in the Waverley borough and have always put great reliance on the day services provided by the Alzheimer’s Society for people suffering with dementia, particularly those more severely affected and where family and carers are under particular strain.

“These day services contribute to the well-being of those suffering from dementia, provide important respite for carers and in terms of the overall health economy they raise the threshold at which residential placement becomes inevitable. They also provide a wealth of expertise, information and moral support to the informal care sector.

“The overall consensus among all professionals working with those suffering from dementia is that the emphasis of care should lie in helping to manage such people at home.

“I would appeal to our local MP and Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, who is Dementia Champion for South West Surrey, to recognise this and manage the root cause.”

• For full story see Thursday’s Haslemere Herald.