ADULT respite care is set to be permanently moved away from Osborne Court in Malvern.
Worcestershire County Councillor Mel Allcott, who was recently put in charge of the adult social care provision, has confirmed that talks have broken down and the respite care provision is being moved away from the Malvern site and a similar site in Bromsgrove.
In 2025, Herefordshire and Worcestershire NHS Health and Care Trust gave notice that the care provision at Church View and Osborne Court would end.
Although both parties discussed whether there would be any route forward, it was concluded that the only option available was for the County Council to recommission the service, and it was agreed that the existing arrangements with the Health and Care Trust would end on June 30 this year.
West Worcestershire MP Dame Harriett Baldwin wrote to councillors on behalf of constituents and service users asking them to try and find a workable solution which preserved services at the popular centre and she also urged them to meet with parents and service users.
Councillor Allcott declined to take up the offer and confirmed her Reform predecessor’s policy that the council was not looking to work with the Worcestershire NHS Heath and Care Trust management on a solution.
Dame Harriett said: “I’m waiting for any feedback from parents and carers who will now have to use an alternative specialist provision and I’ll keep an open mind until I have heard how they people with extra care needs are coping with the change.
“I am assured that the children’s provision, which is also offered at Osborne Court, is being preserved but this is clear evidence that councillors should keep a clearer eye on people who are directly and seriously affected by service cuts.”
Coun Allcott said the council has worked to expand and enhance its own in-house Replacement Care offer to meet the needs of individuals and families.
She said: “We have been providing regular updates to families throughout this process, both directly through Frequently Asked Questions and through face‑to‑face meetings.
“The service will be ready on time, despite what we recognise has been a very difficult transition. After meeting with the council officers, many families have provided helpful and informative feedback, especially useful for those members of staff who will be directly managing the service.
“Once the new service is up and running, I am looking forward to meeting with service users and their families and carers, to move the new service forward.”
