A WOMAN says she fears for her partner’s safety when a dementia day care centre in Wellington closes early in the New Year.

Stratfield House in Bulford is to close at the end of January following a review by Somerset County Council.

Lorraine Banks, 62, who still holds down a full-time job and is a carer for Keith Rowland, says looking after someone with dementia is ‘one of the loneliest things in the world’.

The council says the family ‘won’t be left high and dry’ but Mrs Banks says she has not been told what will happen to her partner.

Mr Rowland, a former WWN reporter and amateur dramatics enthusiast, was diagnosed in 2015 and his condition has deteriorated quickly.

“Having to look after someone with dementia is one of the loneliest things in the world that you can do,” Mrs Banks said. “All we need is for Stratfield to be open so that he can go there and be safe, and we can have some time out. Keith can’t stay by himself all day now because he is a danger to himself.”

She has shared her concerns with Wellington Town Council, which says health and social care services are disappearing.

As well as Stratfield, Popham Court care home in Wellington has closed affecting nearly 100 clients and staff, and there are fewer inpatient beds at Wellington Community Hospital.

Labour councillor Andy Govier said: “It feels like the town is under attack, I think that generally is how people feel.”

Stephen Chandler, the council’s director of adult social services, said of the authority’s review: “What we’re doing is providing a broader range of alternatives for people so they’re not solely reliant on what is a very outdated model of service. Clearly for her [Mrs Banks], that level of intense support is needed– she won’t be left high and dry.”

Wellington Mayor Cllr Gary James said Popham Court’s closure was a ‘shot out of the blue’. He said some residents were moved to other towns but this would make it harder for relatives to visit as public transport was so poor.

Somerset Care said the home was outdated and a revamp was not feasible.

Inpatient beds at Wellington Community Hospital are temporarily closed as more stroke beds are needed.

Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said it needed to keep staffing levels safe.