28/09/10….GPs back call to save Thame?s Day Centre

DOCTORS from the Rycote Practice in Thame are calling for Thame and District Day Centre to stay open despite the threatened cuts to funding it receives from Oxford Social Services.

Dr Richard Harrington said: “The Day Centre helps maintain people at home who otherwise need institutional care. It is an essential part of the fabric of health and social care locally and should be maintained.

“I have been a GP in Thame for 20 years. I am extremely concerned at the prospect of a reduction in funding for day services and in my opinion this will jeopardise not just the quality of life of the clients but will, I believe, have an impact on their health status and may increase the likelihood of needing medical attention and admission to hospital.

Dr Harrington concluded: “I know too that for the carers, time spent at the Day Centre is an invaluable oasis for them and an opportunity for other aspects of life otherwise denied to them.”

Supporting comments came from Dr Harrington’s colleagues. Dr Duncan Keeley said: “I know how much attendance at the Day Centre has meant to patients in terms of their health and wellbeing and sense of social involvement.”

Dr J. Makris spoke of a patient who lives alone, for whom attending the day centre is “the highlight of her week.”

Dr Dot Lister said of one of her patients? visits: “This is the only time she leaves her house and without it she would see no-one.”

BACKGROUND

The Thame & District Day Centre is a registered charity and has met at Thame Community Hospital for the past 25 years. It was informed earlier this year that it was likely to be in the second rank of Day Centres when Oxford Social Services handed out grants for the coming year. Centre Trustees were given to understand that any grant would fall far short of the