PROTESTS against the threat of closure for a York respite care centre are set to be made at the Multiple Scleroris Society’s annual general meeting.

Woodlands, off Hull Road, the only respite centre for people with multiple sclerosis in the York area, is one of four across the country at risk.

The Press has reported previously how the society no longer intends to run the centres, and they will be shut unless someone else comes forward to take them over.

The society said its decision would allow it to invest in more individualised and personalised services for MS sufferers.

MS sufferers have staged a demonstration against the closure at Woodlands, saying the centre had experienced, skilled staff and all the specialist equipment that people with MS needed.

Now a society member, Janice Cook, has put forward a resolution to the AGM in London in September, criticising the decision and calling for it to be reversed.

She claimed there had been a “despicable” lack of openness and transparency in the decision-making process and said the decision appeared to signal an intolerable sea change in the society.

A separate resolution to the meeting calls for one of the homes at Leamington Spa to remain open until detailed work has been completed on the impact and more effective, transparent consultation has taken place.

A charity spokeswoman said it had been open about the respite care review, with centre staff informed and regularly updated through staff meetings, manager updates and staff newsletters.

She said members had been kept regularly updated through various publications, and open meetings had been held across the country.

She said resolutions would go to the Board on July 28 when it considers business for inclusion in the AGM.

“All members will get an opportunity to vote on resolutions on these and other matters during August or at the AGM.

“As an organisation with 38,000 members, this is the only way to democratically ensure that each member gets a chance to express their views through their vote.”