Healthwatch Rochdale publish report detailing people’s experience of the closure of the ‘Moving on Service’ in Middleton
The Moving on Service was a service that provided support for individuals with acquired brain injuries such as a stroke or a brain haemorrhage.
Healthwatch Rochdale were contacted by a number of service users who stated there had been a consultation held by Rochdale Council which had resulted in the decision to close the ‘Moving On’ service. However, service users felt they had not been involved in the consultation process and that the closure of the service would have a negative impact on them.
In response Healthwatch Rochdale spoke to 42 service users individually about their experience and found that 86% reported they had not been informed about the consultation process. Of those who had been consulted they all stated that the process was in a format that met their needs. Service users also spoke of how the service benefited them and how the closure will affect them.
Following these findings, Healthwatch Rochdale made ten recommendations to Rochdale Adult Care which have received a response including that,
Adult Care will work with Healthwatch to make them aware of future public consultations and ensure that individual needs are taken account of during future consultation processes. In addition, Adult Care have confirmed that there is a new offer at Alkrington Day Centre.
It is the role of Healthwatch Rochdale to make sure that everyone has their say on local health and care services and we always encourage providers to include people in changes to services. When we were contacted regarding the closure of the Moving On Service it was our duty to make sure service users voices were heard by providers. We want to thank everyone who took the time to speak with us about their experience and for giving us the opportunity to allow them to have their say