Council to discuss Northlands crisis at special meeting

Derry City and Strabane District Council is to hold a special meeting to see what can be done to help the local Northlands rehabilitation centre which is facing possible closure.

Last week, staff told a public meeting (pictured) in the City Hotel that the Waterside-based facility could be shut down because of a £200,000 shortfall.

The meeting was held to discuss concerns over the impact new proposals will have on the admittance policy.

They say policy changes being proposed by the Public Health Agency and Health and Social Care Board will mean people will no longer be able to self-refer when seeking out the services the centre has been providing for the past 40 years..

As a result, all referrals will have to come through statutory services, meaning that it could take a much longer period of time for someone to receive an assessment.

The decision to hold a special council meeting was taken at tonight’s annual general meeting of the local authority.

Standing orders were suspended to discuss the Northlands crisis and following a proposal by Independent Councillor Paul Gallagher, it was agreed to hold a special meeting to see what can be done to help the Centre.