Following the closure of the Croft for adult learning disability respite care at the end of last year, there has been positive feedback about the temporary arrangements that have been put in place. ‘The Lodge’, a three-bedded unit at the King Edward VII, started operating at the end of January and despite initial concerns about it being based at a hospital, service users and families described the facilities as ‘homely and spacious’.
Staffing at The Lodge is provided predominantly by the Learning Disability Day Service which means people are supported by staff they are already familiar with. On the flip side, this has caused some staffing pressures at the Day Service that are currently being addressed. At a meeting in February with managers of the Adult Disability Service parents raised concerns about the strain on Day Centre staff and how respite was being delivered for those with complex needs. Parents asked the service managers to pass a request to the HSSD Board to meet directly with families to discuss overall resourcing for respite care.
If you would like to visit “The Lodge’ please contact Shona Pearson, Matron at KEVII on 725241.