MS patient's son starts walk in cutbacks protest

Andrew Keyworth, whose father Gordon, 63, uses two of the facilities, is walking from York to Edinburgh where he will present a petition to the Scottish Parliament.

The MS Society says it is seeking alternative providers to run the centres in York, Surrey, Warwickshire and North Berwick as they are only accessed by a fraction of the 100,000 people with the condition in the UK.

It provides a 2.7m subsidy to run the facilities but said that last year no-one in Northern Ireland with the condition and only four people from Wales had been able to use them.

The centres could close next year, however, if an alternative provider is not found.

Mr Keyworth, 33, said his father's visits to the nationally-acclaimed Woodlands centre in York offered a vital break for his mother Margaret, 65, who is now her husband's full-time carer.

The couple also take holidays together at Leuchie House in North Berwick.

Mr Keyworth, a design engineer from Hull, said: "For my parents the thought of losing those respite centres is devastating.

"For my father it's somewhere he can go. He arranges to meet the same people at Woodlands and he's well looked after and it means my mum can have a break."

Other supporters of Woodlands, which takes guests from as far afield as Liverpool and Lambeth, say they are stunned by the decision.

John Avison, of Copmanthorpe, near York, said: "As a user and supporter of Woodlands for the past four years my initial reaction was how could a charity treat already vulnerable and desperate people in this way?

"The move will put at risk the jobs of some 90 care and nursing staff. They are selfless, caring people of the highest order, truly a hard act to follow. They deserve better.

"Closure would also be an insult to the centre's 200 volunteers, who raise money, run outings, and generally offer help and advice."

The MS Society has stressed the decision is not about saving money.

Chief executive Simon Gillespie argued that ultimately the decision would to be to the benefit of sufferers.

"While the care provided by dedicated staff at Woodlands is excellent and has made a real difference to the lives of people with MS who've stayed there, our consultation results showed people want more individualised services, more choice and holiday-style breaks.

"The decision to move away from residential respite care will allow the MS Society to invest in these areas."

He added: "We hope our new approach to respite care will give people across the UK more choice and control. We appreciate the decision may be upsetting for people and we will work with every guest to support them through this change."

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