OLDER people in East Sussex will continue to be supported – and receive more choice – following a review of day centres, council chiefs have said.

East Sussex County Council’s cabinet has approved plans for changes affecting six centres in the county – three of which will close – following a review and public consultation held earlier this year.

The authority says the changes are the best way of addressing the economic challenges it faces while avoiding the need to make cuts which would affect the level of service people receive.

The Hookstead Centre, in Crowborough, Orion Centre, in Hailsham, and Pinehill, in Hastings, will close once new services have been put in place for those currently using the centres.

The three other centres included in the review – the Charter Centre, in Bexhill, Isabel Blackman Centre, in Hastings, and Phoenix Centre, in Lewes – will remain open and continue to be run by the council until a voluntary or community sector provider is appointed to take over their operation.

In the areas where centres are closing, day services from other providers are available, while the council will also be investing in new services to allow people more choice.

Cllr Bill Bentley, East Sussex County Council lead member for adult social care, said: “These were not easy decisions to make and we totally understand the strength of feeling on this issue and how highly valued these centres are, but the current system is simply not sustainable.

“The fact is we have to make savings of more than £27 million from our adult social care budget over the next three years and these savings have to come from somewhere.

“More and more older people are exercising their right to choose how their support is provided, meaning that numbers attending traditional day centres are falling and therefore costs are increasing.

“Working with the voluntary, community and independent sector means older people will continue to receive the same level of support but at less cost, allowing us to avoid unnecessary cuts to services which we would otherwise have had to make.

“This is not just about saving money – it’s about making sure a quality service is available for those who need it, not just today but in the long-term future.”

All affected service users will receive an individual needs and risk assessment, including discussion with carers, to ensure they continue to receive the services they need.

Cabinet approved the following measures at its latest meeting today (TUE 10):

Charter Centre, Bexhill
The centre to remain open with the council continuing to provide existing services in the short term until a provider from within the voluntary and community sector is confirmed to take over the running of the centre in the long term.

Hookstead Centre, Crowborough
The centre to close but services to be provided at other locations by existing and newly commissioned voluntary, community and independent sector organisations.

Isabel Blackman Centre, Hastings
The centre to remain open with the council continuing to provide existing services in the short term until a provider from within the voluntary and community sector is confirmed to take over the running of the centre in the long term.

Orion Centre, Hailsham
The centre to close but services to be provided at other locations by existing providers from the voluntary, community and independent sector.

Phoenix Centre, Lewes
The centre to remain open with the council continuing to provide existing services in the short term until a provider from within the voluntary and community sector is confirmed to take over the running of the centre in the long term.

Pinehill, Hastings
The centre to close with current services to be provided in the future from within the independent sector.

Full details on the review and changes at each centre are available online at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/yourcouncil/about/committees/meetingpapers/cabinet/2013/10december.htm