Centre for children with cerebral palsy under threat (From Times Series)

Bobath Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy under threat

11:20am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in News By Natalie O'Neill

A centre for children with cerebral palsy is under threat of closure as it faces a deficit of £280,000.

The Bobath Centre for Children with Cerebral Palsy in East End Road, East Finchley, could close next year if it fails to bring in enough cash.

Centre director, Jayne Pearce said the 55-year-old charity has been struggling due to the economic downturn and reform of the National Health Service.

As primary care trusts battle with budget cuts and loss of administrative staff, Ms Pearce said fewer children are getting the funding they need for treatment at the centre.

She said: “To put it into perspective, in November 2010 the centre provided 20 children with two weeks of intensive therapy each. In November 2011, that number had dropped to nine.

“With the decline in patient numbers comes a decline in income, but it is impossible to cut expenditure to the same degree without it having a drastic impact on our service.

“A child normally gets referred to us at any stage of their development but the earlier they can get treatment the better – intervention can make a real difference.

“Delaying funding threatens their future wellbeing and the inevitable health problems they will face later in life will only be more costly to treat.”

Ms Pearce is currently trying to cut back on next year’s budget, and admits redundancies might be inevitable.

In order to keep the charity afloat, Ms Pearce is appealing for people to make a donation.

She said: “We’d be extremely grateful for any help that anybody feels they can give, no matter how small.”

To make a donation visit the centre’s website: www.bobath.org.uk or call 0208 444 3355. To get involved in a fundraising activity contact Kevin Gillespie on 020 8442 2276 or email kevin.gillespie@bobath.org.uk