Following news that the local NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are threatening to withdraw their funding from the popular and important day centre service provided by Age UK in Birstall, Edward has joined with Age UK's local Director, Tony Donovan, Birstall Parish Council Chair, Cllr Ann Marshall, and local people & users of the Centre to tell the NHS to stop and think again.
Edward said: "The staff at the Centre do an amazing job - the services provided for elderly people in Birstall by Age UK are a vital lifeline for these people and their families; they are particularly important for people with dementia. The NHS CCG's proposals simply do not make sense - these services not only significantly improve the quality of life for these older people and their families, but actually help save the NHS money by enabling people to stay at home living independently for longer. We are calling on the CCG to halt this short-sighted plan, to keep the service open, and to engage constructively with Age UK to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of this hugely important and well-regarded service."