FAMILY doctors in Thame have called for the town’s day centre to stay open, despite expected cuts by Oxfordshire County Council.

GPs from the Rycote Practice said the Thame and District Day Centre’s closure would increase the likelihood of users needing treatment in hospital.

Dr Richard Harrington said: “The centre helps keep at home people who would otherwise need institutional care. It is an essential part of the fabric of health and social care locally and should be maintained.

“I have been a GP in Thame for 20 years, and am extremely concerned about the prospect of a reduction in funding for day services.”

Colleagues said some of their patients’ weekly visits to the centre were the only times they left home.

The day centre, a registered charity, has met at Thame Community Hospital for the past 25 years.

But earlier this year, it was told by Oxfordshire County Council that it was likely to be in a second tier of county day services when assessed for grants for the next financial year.

The council says no decision has yet been taken on how much funding the centre will receive, but the charity’s trustees say they have been told next year’s annual grant is likely to be far short of the £30,000 it got this year.

Last month, they launched an appeal for funds, saying that by the time the actual grant is confirmed, it would be too late to find alternative funding.