There is to be a shake-up of day centres in the Western Health Trust area with some to close and others to merge with existing centres.

The changes are outlined in a consultation document, “Reform of Day Care for Older People” launched this week.

Under the plans, changes locally would mean the closure of the Rosslea day centre and Garrison and Belcoo are to merge with Derrygonnelly to become a Level 1 Centre but that Derrygonnelly and Belcoo would then become a Level 2 Centre with a a social and luncheon club. The three levels are Level 1 to include full day care, personal care, day clinics and re-ablement; Level 2 to host a social club, luncheon club, education, information and mobility schemes and Level 3 to have active living groups, handman services, support groups, self-referrals and leisure facilities.

The full proposals for the Fermanagh area are: - Tempo Road, Enniskillen to be a Level 1 Centre.

- Drumhaw to be a Level 1 Centre.

- Rosslea to close and clients transferred to Drumhaw or Tempo Road.

- Garrison and Belcoo to merge with Derrygonnelly and Derrygonnelly to become a Level 1 centre.

- Garrison, Belcoo and Newtownbutler to become Level 2 centres.

- Teemore to remain a Level 1 centre.

- Teemore and Derrygonnelly to become a two-day service but also possibly be developed as Level 2 centres over time.

In nearby Tyrone, Dromore Day Centre is to close and transferred to either Gortmore or Irvinestown which will become Level 1.

The consultation will run for eight weeks and will close at 4pm on Friday, April 24 2015.

A Trust spokesman stated: “The proposed change will maintain and build future capacity for the quality of all aspects of day care at all levels of need, provide a resilient and effective day care infrastructure throughout the Trust area which, connected to local communities, can stimulate a growth in voluntary and community sector activities within localities.

The Trust in its outline of services, stated how it served a population of 300,000 people, including 38,613 people aged 65 years or over.

Deirdre Walker, Assistant Director of Adult Safeguarding, commented: “Day Care services aim to provide care, promote independence and strive to maintain individuality by providing a range of flexible services to those clients with assessed need across the Trust. The Trust is really keen to hear and consider carefully all views on how our Day Care Services are delivered in the future. We would encourage everyone to get their responses in as soon as possible and contribute their views.” Information on the proposals and on how to respond can be downloaded from the Western Trust’s website www.westerntrust.hscni.net by clicking on ‘Involving You’ and ‘Consultations’.

The Trust said all day care providers are required to provide clients with transport to and from day care centres. Additionally, all providers are required to ensure that RQIA Guidelines are adhered to regarding travel time to and from Day Care centres.

It said all the views gathered during this consultation will be considered before any final decisions are made. A consultation feedback report, detailing the feedback and how the Trust considered it, will be put on their website.