THE closure of a respite unit in Basingstoke is “inevitable” a Hampshire County councillor has said, as the council are set to consider its permanent closure.

As previously reported, Firvale Respite Unit provided overnight respite for children and young people with disabilities and is jointly operated with Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT). Of the nine beds available, five were used for social care provision by the county council while HHFT accesses the other four for health needs.  

It has been temporarily closed since the start of the Covid pandemic in March 2020. The proposals come alongside recommendations for further targeted investment in a wide range of other services which more effectively meet the need for children’s respite care.

SEE ALSO: County council to consider permanent closure of  respite unit in Basingstoke 

Since then, Hampshire County councillor Stephen Reid has reacted to the news and does not seem surprised at the idea of the permanent closure.

He said: “My understanding is that the building closed in 2020 during Covid and the council would have to pay at least £400,000 to ensure the building could be safe for respite care.

“I think really the permanent closure is inevitable but that being said Basingstoke is a large town and residents should not have to go elsewhere to find this service. As I understand people who live in Basingstoke would have to go to other towns for this type of service."

Cllr Reid said that it is important other alternatives are considered, which he said will be part of the decision-making progress.

He added: “I can not hope to imagine what life is like for those who are struggling and need the service, it is so important to provide alternative options.”

For residential respite care to reopen at the unit, the county council would be required to undertake essential building works, at a cost of at least £400,000, to ensure it remains safe and fit for purpose. This is in addition to the annual cost of operating the service, which amounts to £900,000.  

The proposal for Firvale’s permanent closure follows a ten-week consultation at the start of this year, which sought views from families of children with disabilities, the wider public, members of staff and other stakeholders.  

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Meanwhile, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Conservative councillor Cllr David McIntyre said asking to travel to nearby towns is not good enough.

He added: “I note Hampshire County Council’s proposal to permanently close Firvale Residential Respite Unit in Basingstoke. My understanding is that the respite unit has been temporarily closed since March 2020 and that the county council are facing a quite significant sum in order to have the respite unit brought up to a satisfactory standard prior to any possibility of reopening.

"I have written to the chair of the children and young people select committee asking that careful consideration is given to the impact on Basingstoke resident’s children if Firvale were to close without any planned alternative provisions being in place, simply asking parents to travel to the next nearest units in Andover, Surrey or Southampton isn’t acceptable.”

A report outlining the responses to this consultation, and important considerations for the future of the unit, will be presented at the children and young people select committee on Monday, October 17.

A final decision will then be made by Cllr Roz Chadd, deputy leader of Hampshire County Council and executive lead member for children’s services, at her decision day on Wednesday, October 19.