Tears and anger as familes are told multiple sclerosis care centre will shut

Multiple sclerosis patients and their families and friends who depend on the service provided by the centre were told on Tuesday that the respite care home will close at the end of January.

Fighting back tears, Angela Twomey, whose daughter Maureen is one of the ten permanent residents at Helen Ley, said: “I am numb. Everyone up there is absolutely gutted. It’s such a waste.”

Mrs Twomey has cared for her daughter, who cannot do anything for herself, for all the 34 years of Maureen’s life, 12 of which she has lived at Helen Ley. She fears that Maureen will not survive after the centre closes.

She said: “The staff are expertly trained to deal with this very wicked illness.

“They are all loving, caring and very, very dedicated to the wonderful work they do.

“These people cannot take any more and they should not have to.”

Jayne Canning, chairman of the Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth branch of the MS Society, said: “It’s appalling, just dreadful.

“I am committed to making sure all those people are looked after. I have no idea whatsoever how I am going to do that, so I am open to all suggestions.”

The national charity – separate from the local branch – which currently runs Helen Ley, made the decision to end its respite care services last year and began to look for an alternative provider to take it over.

The charity was close to signing a deal with MS Respite & Care Service Ltd, but last month the deal fell through. The society said this was because an arrangement that met Charity Comission standards could not be found.

Martyn Tilson, of the Helen Ley Action Group, said: “Our members reacted with anger and horror to this announcement.

“The MS Society has brought itself and the Charity Commission into disrepute. Its actions have failed to act in the interests of those of its members who needed the centres, now and in the future.

“A complaint is being lodged with the commission against the society.”

An MS Society spokeswoman said: “Throughout this process the society has worked with independent chartered surveyors to ensure we comply with the Charities Act 1993 and the Charity Commission’s regulations.

“Unfortunately as negotiations progressed, we reached a point whereby our surveyors were no longer satisfied that ‘best terms’ were being offered and negotiations therefore mutually ended.”

Stuart Nixon, acting chairman of the society, said: “This is not the outcome any of us wanted and we know it will come as upsetting news to all those affected.

“We will now do all we can to support residents, guests and staff through this difficult time.

“I would like to acknowledge the commitment and dedication of the centre staff to providing high quality care throughout this period of uncertainty.”

A redundancy consultation has begun with staff and the society is working with Warwick District Council to find alternative options for the residents at Helen Ley.