Rosyth Resource Centre under threat of closure

In a bid to modernise day care services Fife Council have been reviewing social care provision and say there is less demand for traditional day services such as Rosyth Resource Centre on Granville Way.

Proposals also include stopping day care at weekends for service users at the Jean Mackie centre in Dunfermline.

A decision on the future of Rosyth Resource Centre will be made by Fife's Health and Social Care board next Thursday. 

Although the proposals are yet to be decided, a source told the Press that staff were told closure of the Rosyth centre would likely be passed by the board and that they expected the premises to close some time this year.

"It seems ridiculous!" the source said.

"It is a really well used centre and a lot of staff work there so everything is just up in the air, but they've been asked to make savings. 

"There will be lots of people who might not even see anyone now for days because that's how they socialise and they haven't got any family. 

"They are maybe saving money in this area but it will just mean the home care budget will go up."

The source also revealed that housing officers believe the premises have potential for a residential development, but that has not been confirmed by Fife Council. 

The local authority has previously changed its position several times on whether Rosyth Resource Centre should be closed. 

In 2015 a £77 million gap in Fife Council's budget put the day centre under threat, but proposals to close it were not followed through.

In the discussions the following year, the council ruled out any possibility of closure.

David Heaney, Divisional General Manager (East) from Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership, stated: "For over a year, Fife’s Health and Social Care Partnership has been working with service users, families, partners in the voluntary and independent sector, staff and others to look at how we can modernise our approach to day services so we can offer people more choice and flexibility on their care and support needs.

"This is against a backdrop where, overall, the demand for traditional day services is reducing, and this is the case at Rosyth Resource Centre. 

"It is important to emphasise that no decision has been taken yet.

"Should the board decide to re-provide day services from the Rosyth Resource Centre, we will engage fully with service users, their families and our staff to discuss the changes and, together, we will look at the choices and opportunities available to continue to meet their needs, remain connected to their communities and fulfil their personal aspirations.

"In the Rosyth area, options include day care service places in the Jean Mackie Centre and Matthew Fyfe Care Home, Dunfermline, or the service user could choose alternative services within the local community that meet their needs and wishes."