A service which cares for people coming out of hospital is set to continue at a care home after a last minute u-turn by its provider.
The 10 intermediate care beds service at Hollins View was set to be discontinued by its provider East Cheshire NHS Trust last week.
But after discussions between the trust and the council, it has now said that the beds will continue to be available to residents until the end of July.
The Hands Off Hollins View group, who are fighting to ensure the survival of the home, have slammed East Cheshire NHS Trust after it announced its intention to no longer provide intermediate care at the home, on Clarke Terrace, Macclesfield.
The campaigners said that that decision had been made with no discussion with committees that may have expected be consulted, such as the Health and Wellbeing Board, Healthwatch and Healthvoice.
But in a statement East Cheshire NHS Trust said that it was not required to consult with stakeholders before making a decision about the closure of its own service.
An East Cheshire NHS Trust spokesperson said: “Following further discussions between the trust and Cheshire East Council, it has been decided that 10 intermediate care beds will remain at Hollins View until the end of July, while alternative provisions are considered.
“The trust was not required to carry out a specific consultation around changes to the 10-bed intermediate care provision, however public consultation regarding Hollins View overall has been carried out by Cheshire East Council involving patients, carers and many other stakeholder groups.
“Intermediate care is delivered by East Cheshire NHS Trust from a variety of different locations and partners in Eastern Cheshire and we would like to reassure people that this service will continue to be available for patients.
“The service aims to accommodate people close to their homes wherever possible and provides patients with care packages according to their individual needs.”
Hollins View also provides respite care which offers a break for those with chronic conditions being cared for at home.
In December last year campaigners successfully fought against the proposed closure of its respite services as the council gave it a stay of execution until December 2015.
But they say that the intermediate care beds eventual closure throws up doubts about the home’s continued survival.
Morven Sowerbutts, one of the campaigners, said: “Though the home is currently still providing respite, the level of this provision and how long it will continue is not being discussed or shared with users, voluntary groups, or those concerned with service provision in our community.
“The future of Hollins View must be affected by this bed closure.”
But a spokesperson from the council said it had responded. He said: “The council has responded to queries raised by the campaign group when received.
“Residential carer respite beds continue to be provided at Hollins View, as agreed in December 2014.”
