Rehab centre closure

BRISTOL City Council is set to close its last remaining rehab centre for older people who need care after leaving hospital before they are able to go home.

The closure of East Bristol Intermediate Care Centre, which looks after patients from the Fishponds area, will result in more than 25 staff being made redundant or redeployed.

The final decision on the centre, which is Summerhill Terrace, St George, was being taken by mayor Marvin Rees’s cabinet on May 2, following a decision at the budget-setting full council in February to cut the cost of running it altogether.

The service will be taken up by community healthcare provider Sirona at other sites.

A cabinet report said: “Rehabilitation services are not usually provided by local authorities and are a discretionary service for the council, and there is agreement across the health and social care system that the community health provider has the skills and facilities to deliver this service in line with standard practice nationwide.”

It said staff would be consulted on their options and the council would “comply with the obligation to seek suitable alternative employment for all employees at risk of redundancy to mitigate against any compulsory redundancies”.

But the report added that changing to a new team or role could be difficult because 58% of the employees were over 50 and had worked at the council for a long time.

It said the other option would be for NHS partners to take over the rehab centre but “they are not in a position” to do so.

The report added: “They already provide rehabilitation services at other sites across the city which will ensure that a continued highquality provision is available for citizens, and the [health] system priority is to increase the number of people returning home with care and support in place of offering additional community intermediate care beds.

“This has meant that the only viable option for the council to progress is the proposal to stop service delivery at East Bristol Intermediate Care Centre."

Last year the council shut another facility, South Bristol Rehab Centre, and there was controversy after employees were initially told they could transfer to Sirona, which runs a similar service at South Bristol Community Hospital, before the arrangement fell through.

By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service

n WHAT’S ON IN OUR AREA

May 6-12 n FREE BOWLS TASTER SESSIONS at Bristol Greenbank Bowls Club, Gordon Road, Whitehall, 10am-noon daily. Expert and friendly tuition, all equipment provided. Drop in - wear flat-soled shoes such as trainers. Car parking available. Plant and cake stalls, licensed bar. More information from greenbankbowls@gmail.com.

May 10 n WILD WOMEN at Hillfields Community Garden, 7-9pm. Supportive monthly group exploring nature connection and well-being, seasonal food and drink. For more information email hillfieldswildwomen@gmail.com or turn up on the day

May 20 n Spring Fayre, All Saints Community Hall, Grove Road Fishponds, noon-3pm. Enjoy lunch, buy some plants for your garden. Browse through the various crafts that will be available and have some fun with our selection of games. Entrance fee 50p per adult. More information from Gina Smith ginasmith863@gmail.com.

May 23 n Mini Explorers at Hillfields Community Garden, 10-11am, preschool nature group for children aged 2-4, parents/carers and siblings. Gardening, songs, crafts and activities, with teas, coffees, squash and biscuits. Free - all welcome and no booking needed.

Regular Events

Monday n BARTON HILL RFC CHARITY CAFE, Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, from noon until 3pm. Food and drink, bargain donated goods, friendly and welcoming place to meet, staffed entirely by volunteers raising money for charity.

Tuesday n TAI CHI CLASS, The Folk House, Downend - Tuesdays 7.30-8.30pm. All welcome, £7 per class or £35 for 6 classes.

Contact Georgina Green07845 748568, georginagreen@ mindfultaichi.org.uk n PHOENIX ART CLUB meets on Tuesdays at Stapleton Church Hall, n GARDENING IN RETIREMENT CLUB, Every third Tuesday of every month at 10.15am at the Assembly Hall, Salisbury Road, Downend. Non-members welcome - £3 including tea or coffee.

Park Road, from 10am to midday.

Wednesday n BARTON HILL RFC CHARITY CAFE, Duncombe Lane, Speedwell, from noon until 3pm. Food and drink, bargain donated goods, friendly and welcoming place to meet, staffed entirely by volunteers raising money for charity. n DOWNEND FLOWER

ARRANGING CLUB meets at 7.30pm on the first and third Wednesday of each month from September to June, at Lincombe Barn, Overndale Road, Downend. Call Genise on 0777 245 1217.

Friday n EASTVILLE PARK FOODCLUB OPEN FOR COLLECTIONS, every Friday 12-1.30pm. To enquire about membership, email eastvilleparkfoodclub@gmail.com or call 07591 748548. n FRIENDS OF HILLFIELDS n IN-THE-PINK Sensible exercise to music for mature ladies every Friday, 9-10am, Hillfields Park Baptist Church, Thicket Avenue.

LIBRARY Silver Explorers social group for retired people living in Hillfields, every Friday, 10amnoon. Activities include talks, music, crafts and history. Free tea and coffee. More information at friendsofhillfieldslibrary@gmail.com or friends' Facebook page.

Followed by chat & coffee, pay session-by-session. Get yourself fit & make new friends. More information from Julie on 07903 123793.

Saturday n LU LIFE CHURCH 'SHARED SPACES', Fishponds Old Library, Fishponds Road. Every 3rd Saturday of the month, 2-3pm. Singing, dancing and drumming. All welcome. For more details email LULifeChurch@gmail.com or call Rev P on 0750 839 0298. n VOLUNTEER GROUP at Hillfields Community Garden, every third Saturday of the month, 10am1pm. Meet your neighbours and have fun. Free lunch. More details from hillfieldscommunitygarden@ gmail.com. n FISHPONDS REPAIR CAFE.

All Saints Church on 1st Saturday of the month, 10am-noon and Vassall Centre on 3rd Saturday of the month, 10am-2pm. Drop in for advice and help in mending electrical, household or textile items, including toys and computers.

n SPORT 600 runners for 10k

THE 41st Frenchay 10k, the oldest event of its kind in the UK, was a great success, with over 600 entries received demonstrating the event’s continuing popularity with runners from across the local area and wider Bristol community.

Adam Stokes, representing Bristol and West AC, was first over the line, in a fantastic winning time of 33 minutes 9 seconds.

Our first woman was Katrina Entwistle, also from Bristol and West, in a superb time of 38m 16s.

This year's winning team was Emerson’s Green running club, who were very well represented.

Our two nominated local charities this year, Children’s

Hospice South West and the Freewheelers (bloodbikes), supported the race organisers by providing marshals to help with the smooth organisation of the event.

In turn, the race committee will make significant financial donations to both, continuing a pledge that was made when the race was first completed, back in 1979.

Costas Kkolos, owner of the Avenue Cafe in Emersons Green, raised £600 for running the 10k, which is a truly fantastic effort!

We look forward to the 42nd Frenchay 10k, with entries open in December.

Dave Guyatt Race Director