Saved - Helen Ley Centre’s future is finally secure

This is the view of the man who now runs the once ill-fated home in Blackdown that provides residential respite care for people with multiple sclerosis.

Within the past week, Robert Pearce, chief executive of Castel Froma, a specialist centre in Lillington Road that cares for people with neurological conditions, has become Helen Ley’s new leader.

But the move may mean that some people are to lose their jobs.

Speaking exclusively to the Courier about the takeover, which has taken six months to complete, Mr Pearce, who has worked as both a senior NHS nurse and a businessman, said: “Helen Ley offers a really important service to people with multiple sclerosis. We look after people with multiple sclerosis, so we understand the strengths of that service and it was important for us to try to be part of keeping it going.

“This also gives Castel Froma the opportunity to expand our services.”

While Helen Ley will remain as it is at its current site, Mr Pearce wants to open it out to patients of other conditions such as muscular dystrophy, motor neurone disease or Parkinson’s disease.

He said: “The future of this centre will depend on people using it, so please book. This is a wonderful next step for Castel Froma. We are taking over a loved service.

“It’s a perfect and logical fit.”

Mr Pearce, who has been leading the team at Castel Froma for four years, walks around the wards two or three times a day.

He said: “We do develop services with patients, residents and users, so we have to talk to these people and find out what they need and want.”

Both long-term and respite care will continue at Helen Ley, whose ten permanent residents have now all found homes elsewhere.

Mr Pearce told the Courier he was unable to say whether the takeover would lead to job losses, but it has been confirmed that ‘staff restructuring’ consultation papers were distributed among staff this week.

Mr Pearce said his first priority was to place Helen Ley on a “sound financial footing”, adding: “We owe it to the public to keep it going.”

To book a stay at Helen Ley, call 313550.