The day centre, which cares for people with dementia, was up for the axe by Camden Council, but has received a last minute reprieve.

PLANS to closed the much-loved Netherwood Day Centre for people with dementia have been shelved by Camden Council.

The dramatic revelation was made today as papers detailing the results of a consultation for Camden Council’s cabinet meeting on Wednesday April 6, were released online.

Netherwood - a West Hampstead day centre for people with dementia - was due to be axed and users moved to Raglan House in Kentish Town, under plans by the council to cut �16 million from its adult social care budget.

The plans - which would have saved �250,000 - caused outrage amongst carers and supporters, and have now been revoked following a public consultation.

The report states: “The rationale for providing a single specialist service remains, and officers consider that a more cost effective service with a wider range of therapeutic input and opening hours could be achieved at a single site.

“However, taking the views of carers and service users into account, we have concluded that it would be better to explore the option for a new purpose built integrated provision, potentially as part of the Greenwood Place development, which is part of the Community Investment Programme, subject to Cabinet approval and further consultation.

“It is therefore recommended that the proposal to integrate the Raglan and Netherwood services is withdrawn.”

The money will be found by finding �50,000 of efficiencies in the service provision and �200,000 will be gained when money is transferred to the council from the Primary Care Trust, to fund social care activities.