Ray of hope for MS care centre

Current owner the MS Society, which is to end its residential respite services at the centre for people with multiple sclerosis, has announced that Leamington-based Castel Froma has signed an initial agreement to take over the running of Helen Ley in January.

The move comes just weeks after a deal with MS Respite and Care Services Ltd to buy both Helen Ley and Brambles, another MS care home in Surrey, fell through, leaving patients, their families and carers in devastation and fear that the centre would close by the end of the year.

Reacting to this week’s announcement Angela Twomey, whose daughter Maureen lives as a permanent resident at Helen Ley, said: “I am hoping it is good news. We have been slapped in the face so many times. Until it’s written and signed, I don’t know what to think.”

Martyn Tilson, chairman of the Helen Ley Action Group, said: “I am obviously distraught for Brambles, because this means that it will definitely close, but for Helen Ley, I am delighted.

“But the devil will be in the detail. We don’t want to celebrate too early.”

Castel Froma’s Lillington Road site provides specialist care for people with brain injuries, multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions.

A spokeswoman for the MS society said Castel Froma’s chief executive, Robert Pearce, intends for Helen Ley to continue providing both long-term and residential respite care, as it currently does.

Stuart Nixon, acting chaiman of the society, said: “It’s never been our wish to close Helen Ley and since last summer we have been working hard to find suitable alternative arrangements.

“We recognise that this has been a very difficult time for all affected and we would like to thank our staff for continuing to provide excellent care and support for guests, their families and carers during this time.

“We hope to move as smoothly and as swiftly as possible.

Mr Pearce, who runs Castel Froma, said: “We are ideally placed to take over Helen Ley in a seamless fashion as we have cared for MS patients for many years.

“We couldn’t contemplate seeing Helen Ley close, so we had to put an offer to the MS Society.”

Jeremy Wright MP, in whose Kenilworth and Southam constituency Helen Ley is situated, has been in talks with the MS Society during the past month in efforts to keep the centre open.

He said: “This is excellent news. It was a team effort - there were lots of us working to achieve this outcome.

“My clear understanding is that Castel Froma will continue to provide the service that Helen Ley provides for people with MS, but it will also use what is a first-class facility to care for people with other conditions as well.”

According to the terms of the proposed transfer, all staff at Helen Ley, who were told about the plans this week, will keep their jobs.

Over the next few months, the charity will be working with Castel Froma to agree precise terms and conditions and discuss transfer arrangements, but the aim is to complete the take-over by the end of January.

Brambles care home is still due to close next week.