OPPOSITION to radical proposals by Devon County OPPOSITION to radical proposals by Devon County CouncilCouncil to shut down Harewood House residential home in Tavistock and its day centre for the elderly has come from an organisation which provides respite for dementia sufferers.

The Tavistock Memory Café, a drop-in centre at the Anchorage Centre for those living with dementia together with their carers. is urging those that could be affected and other members of the public, to make their opinions known to the council.

The Memory Café is currently compiling its own response to the consultation by Devon County Council regarding the proposed closure of Harewood House residential services. It is setting this response before all its members and will reply once its own consultation has finished by March 7.

June Wildman, a spokesperson for Tavistock Memory Cafe, said she fully understood the proposals regarding closure and the reasons why, which were set out in the consultative document.

However, she wished to see the present day care services provided by the county council in Harewood House retained in an alternative building elsewhere in the town, such as Abbey Rise —especially for those living with the early and middle stages of dementia.

She told the Times: 'I feel it is important for this particular group, which is the same as that catered for by Memory Café, to have dedicated day care with others in a similar stage — those not yet ready for care in a residential home setting — as well as, crucially, providing respite for those looking after their welfare.

'I would urge any family who has been affected by this horrible disease to respond to the consultation run by Devon County Council, both in person and at any public meeting.'

A spokesman for the Devon County Council said: 'No decisions will be made about the residential service or day service at Harewood House until our consultations have concluded and we've had the chance to hear everyone's comments.

'This is not about cutting people's services.

'Everyone who is entitled to the council's support, for residential care and for day care, will continue to be supported.

'The question is whether we can continue providing services that meet people's needs in a building we run, or whether those needs can be met in other homes locally or in other ways.'

Comments can be sent to the Senior Manager, Adult Provider Service, Room 115a, County Hall, Exeter EX2 4QD by March 26.

An online petition has been started as part of a campaign to keep Harewood House residential and day centre facilities open.

To sign the petition, go to the website at http://www.thepetitionsite.com">http://www.thepetitionsite.com