Families of elderly people who attend the long-established Whangarei Forget-Me-Not Adult Day Centre are reeling after learning only late last week that the service's public health funding has been axed. They learned by a letter dated November 6, sent by Northland District Health Board portfolio manager Lyn Rostern, that the day-carecontract had gone to another provider, effective from Monday. Ms Rostern's letter stated the Northland Disabled Charitable Trust's contract-renewal tender had been unsuccessful. The service would now be provided by corporate giant Guardian Health Care at Merrivale Rest Home, Springs Flat. Clients and families were assured by Forget-Me-Not staff and trustees at a meeting at the centre yesterday that, even without the funding, those regularly using the service would still be welcome on Monday. Trust chairman Ryan Bruce was reluctant to comment on the centre's future or the health board's handling of the situation, saying the trust's first priority was easing clients' fears. "I only learned about the contract situation late on Monday. Since then our focus has been on the impact of the news on our clients. When their needs and fears have been addressed, then we can concentrate on our concerns about the contract situation." Health board communications manager Clare Blackburn said the new contract was let after a robust review, tendering and consultation process. "The decision was made on the grounds of service quality, cost effectiveness and accessibility to service," she said. "The short notice is regrettable but we needed to work with potential providers." Clients and their families will learn more about the health board's contract decision at a meeting starting midday on Monday, at the Age Concern premises in Manse St.
