SANTUNE House at Shavington is to become a Dementia Centre for the county in a £3 million cost-cutting exercise that will effect all of Cheshire's 12 community support centres.

The dramatic changes earmarked for the care of the elderly were outlined on Tuesday at a public meeting in the village that is set to lose the 'friendly' home that has been providing long and short term care for local senior citizens since it was bequeathed for that purpose by its owner.

News of the dementia proposal leaked out several months ago and parish councillors and relatives of residents have been trying to find out just how the home and the community will be affected.

"We understand that current care for local people will stop when it becomes a specialist centre for the treatment of those with alzheimer's disease and the mentally handicapped. Not even the local doctor's practice knew about the plans," said parish council chairman Kevin Gibbs.

With little information forthcoming from the county the community leaders set up the meeting on Tuesday evening in the village hall and invited Social Services managers to put the village in the picture.

MP Gwyneth Dunwoody and County Councillors Ray Westwood and David Newton were also invited.

"Everyone is concerned about what will happen to the current residents which include one who is around 100 years old. It will mean a terrific upheaval and distress for them if they have to move to homes in other areas. The parish council feels that up to six beds should be retained for parishioners who need long term care," said Mr Gibbs.

A strategy document reveals that funding for community care centres is having to be cut by half. Long stay provision is being axed completely and some of the centres are being transferred to the private sector, others will be turned into sheltered housing while a few, including Crewe's Lincoln House in Samuel Street will "focus on short stay, rehabilitation and recovery provision, multi-disciplinary assessment and respite care".

Currently the number of long stay residents throughout the county is 174, with 20 at Santune House. Lincoln House has already been reduced to six.

Santune is also a base for meals on wheels and a wider support system that includes the loan of wheechairs and other equipment.

"There are no plans to change any of those services at present," said a county spokeswoman.

She stressed that residents would be offered alternative accommodation but would not be forced to move out.

"Those who want to remain will be able to stay. But there will be no new placings," she added.

The strategy documents reveal that the specialist dementia unit is not likely to be based at Santune House for more than three years. A more central location will be looked for in the medium and long term. The future of Santune House will then be reconsidered.

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