HEALTH BOSSES say a horticultural therapy centre in Powick will close to save money.
Link Nurseries has been in danger of shut down since the county’s health commissioning groups instructed the Worcestershire Health and Care Trust to save £250,000 from its vocational centres budget.
The service helps people gain skills to aid their recovery from serious illness by growing fruits, vegetables and plants.
A campaign to save the service was launched by its Friends group who made their feelings heard through a number of workshop consultation events which were held to discuss its uncertain future in detail.
But health bosses say it is recommended to close down the service in addition to Orchard Place in Redditch – a similar service delivered by the Trust.
Instead the Trust says it is plans to deliver a new model for its vocational centre services to save the cash required.
Plans are to deliver a bigger service with a wider range of activities in Worcester, therefore stopping its delivery of Link Nurseries and Orchard Place which is likely to be in force from April next year.
A spokesman from the Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust said: “We recognise the emerging model represents quite a significant shift from where we are currently. We also recognise the need to support our service users and staff through this and to give reassurance that the potential new model will continue to provide support which is effective, tailored, safe and supported.
“At this stage this is the recommended direction of travel and there are still further details to be worked through.
“Consideration also needs to be given now as to the future of the buildings and sites and whether there are any other service and delivery options outside of the Trust.”
Only last week Malvern MP Harriett Baldwin announced she held vital talks with Trust chief executive Sarah Dugan to push her into finding an alternative solution for the service rather than closure.
But Mrs Baldwin said she was ‘absolutely incensed’ by the Trust’s recommendation.
“I simply cannot believe the speed with which the Trust has taken this decision without allowing the statutory 12 week consultation period,” she said.
“Last week the Government announced an additional £600million for mental health services and billions more funding for the NHS.
“I have written to Sarah Dugan again to outline an alternative approach. I hope that the Health and Care Trust will do the right thing and work towards strategy which benefits both patients and the local community.”
