Published Friday 15 July 2016 at 11:42
Changes to public health services as a result of planned Government cuts to funding were approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Board last night (July 14).
Members agreed to introduce a £1 charge per person for selected gyms, swim and court sessions that are currently available free of charge available via the re:fresh scheme.
It follows a public consultation which found that the majority of people – 63.9% would either ‘strongly support’ or ‘tend to support’ a nominal fee for re:fresh activities. The change will come into effect from August 1 and will save around £215,000 a year.
All current services accessible via the scheme will stay the same, with the £1 fee payable over the counter at re:fresh facilities. Refresh membership cards will remain free of charge.
More information about the changes and a list of the full range of services is available at: www.refreshbwd.com
Proposals to make changes to public health services for children aged 0-5 years and their families were also approved.
The current Family Nurse Partnership service will end on August 31, with all families being supported into health visiting and other community children’s service offers. The currently separate Early Start Service will become integrated in the health visiting service, to offer more intensive support where needed within the offer available to all families.
This decision means that all families in Blackburn with Darwen with children aged 0-5 years will continue to have a named Health Visitor with no changes to service they provide.
More information about the health visiting service in Blackburn with Darwen is available at: https://www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/Health-Visiting-Services