Chance to have say on care shake-up

Services will be lost at Alexander House, in Knaresborough, which provides care for elderly people suffering from dementia as part of a proposed shake-up.

In 2006, the last time changes were proposed, a petition to save the service was backed by more than 9,000 people.

Health bosses say Alexander House and the Rowan Ward at Harrogate District Hospital currently have 32 beds but argue these beds are underused.

The Harrogate and Rural District Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS North Yorkshire and York and Tees Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust are proposing bed numbers are halved to 16 and these would all be provided at the Rowan Ward.

Alexander House will be used as a community resource centre with a memory clinic and other dementia services. Health bosses say the plan will free-up cash and allow it to bring in service improvements which will ensure early diagnosis and home care for those living with dementia.

People can make their views known in a number of ways: by sending their views by email to: [email protected] or completing an online survey at: http://www.harrogateandruraldistrictccg.nhs.uk/HaRD/GettingInvolved.htm or if people prefer to complete a written survey they can get one by calling 01423 859623.