Clients write to chairman over changes at Rowan Centre

A NUMBER of clients of the Rowan Centre in Lisburn have written to the Chairman of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust complaining they have been forced out of their room to make way for clients from Thompson House.

In the letter thy said the arrival of around 30 new elderly infirm people has meant 'a great deal of disturbance'.

"All the ladies of the Rowan Centre have been cramped into one tiny room whereas before the ladies had a very spacious working area where they played wheelchair exercises, games and activities, but no more" they said.

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"Also the dining area has been modified to cater for the influx. Once upon a time I felt at home in the Rowan Centre, I feel it now a refugee. A place to relax and converse with my fellow clients and socialise, but no more.

"The building remains dishevelled, disgusting to look at from the outside, run down and the whole building needs painted. No more will I tolerate this."

Another client who has been with the Rowan Centre for the past ten years said: "We have been told that clients from Thompson House Hospital moving to the Rowan Centre would not affect the current service users.

"I feel the change has a great impact on current users. Our space has dramatically been reduced for activities. Our activity room is now being used to accommodate the female users as the room they occupied is now being used to accommodate Thompson House users. We do not have an activity room now where clients joined together for various activities such as armchair aerobics, quizzes etc.

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"We will as clients still get support from the staff of the Rowan Centre as they try to accommodate every ones needs and do a brilliant job.

"However the issue here is not the users from Thompson House but the way it was handled by the Trust. We were not informed of any such decision by the Trust until a week before the changes occurred. We feel we are being discriminated against and pushed aside."

A spokesperson for the South Eastern Trust said: "The South Eastern HSC Trust is currently planning to make best use of the physical space available at the Rowan Centre, these proposals have been discussed with service users.

"This will not affect any change to the service available to current service users in regards to activities or support. The move will enhance service provision to the small number of people moving from Thompson House and provide extended opportunities to engage in additional activities without directly impacting on the service currently provided at the Rowan Centre. The Trust wishes to confirm that 10 service users have moved from Thompson House and not all attend the centre on a daily basis.

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"In respect of the condition of the building, the Rowan Centre is fit for purpose and meets all regulatory standards. Senior managers within Disability Services will meet with the service users to address their concerns directly."

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