CARERS of people who attend Stratfield House in Wellington will face enormous stress when it closes at the end of January, say supporters of the day centre.

The centre in Bulford is set up to take ten clients a day and is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, providing respite for carers of clients frequently at the extreme end of dementia.

Wellington Hospital League of Friends treasurer John Bailey said: “The closure of Stratfield House will affect carers in a very dramatic and a very bad way.”

The centre is a secure unit and provides specialist care for the elderly with mental health problems, employing four permanent and two part-time staff.

The Somerset Partnership NHS Trust has provided the service for Somerset County Council but the service will cease when the contract runs out in the new year – two similar units in Taunton will also close.

Mr Bailey said the county council was planning to ask private individuals – or ‘micro-providers’ – and companies to bid for a share of a £500,000 pot available for the next five years. Clients in most need would receive help paying for services but in time care would become self-funding.

Mr Bailey said many carers were distraught when told about Stratfield House’s closure at a drop-in session at Wellington Library last week. Now all clients will be re-assessed with the process completed by the end of October.

Mr Bailey added: “Stratfield House gives carers a whole day’s respite from looking after someone who may be violent and difficult to handle.

“They do it day in, day out and could be left with no help – and put under extreme extra stress they may become ill.”

Mr Bailey said Wellington dementia charity Reminiscence Learning was doing a fantastic job but its premises were not suitable for Stratfield House’s clients.

The day centre’s clients liked to be in smaller groups and often felt rejuvenated after a day there – even if only for a short time – being able to do things they could not do at home.

The League of Friends has supported Stratfield House by providing a computer, days out, materials for craft events, aromatherapy, Christmas parties, local singer John Walker and in other ways.