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By ROISIN GADELRAB
 
Judge gives day centre a last minute reprieve

AN under-threat mental health day centre has been given a stay of execution following a bitter High Court battle with Camden Council’s social services.
The Town Hall was forced to make a dramatic U-turn at the Royal Courts of Justice yesterday (Wednesday) granting the Jamestown Day Centre in Adelaide Road, Chalk Farm a last minute reprieve.
Labour Social Services chief Councillor Geethika Jayatilaka announced the decision to axe the service last October, ignoring a 3,000-name petition calling for the council to rethink its plans. The service that provides training, advice and social events for people who have suffered from mental illness.
Centre users warned the loss could lead to unnecessary suffering, patient isolation and even possible suicide.
But the centre, which was due to be shut down next Friday still faces a shaky future as Camden has given no clear commitment to its future.
Speaking after the hearing, a council spokesman said: “At the Judicial Review, the judge invited the parties to mediate the issue rather than continue with the contentious and costly litigation.
“As a result of the judge’s invitation, we agreed to review the decision in relation to the Jamestown Centre, and the council will be undertaking further consultation with the service users about the centre.”
Celebrating the temporary reprieve, Leo McLaughlin, of the strong Save Our Day Centres (SODC) group said: “It’s a fantastic result for all people with mental health problems. It has taken the most Herculian effort to get this far.”
Paul Bowen, representing SODC, told the court there had been no consultation among users of the centre.
But when Mr Justice Walker, presiding, realised there had been no formal mediation between SODC and the council, he ordered both sides to meet outside of court to consider a compromise.
Returning to the courtroom following hours of negotiations, Paul Spencer, for the council, said the Town Hall would agree to one of two options – either quashing the closure decision outright, or agreeing to mediate – but had not yet decided which. The hearing was further adjourned for lawyers to battle it out in the court corridors.
Jamestown user Ruth Shawcross said: “It was supposed to close next Friday but none us had been told what support we were going to have. It’s been hell.”
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