10/06/2026 - Permalink

Shropshire Council to move adult day centre services from Aquamira to Abbots Wood

Related topics: Adult social care

Today (June 10, 2026), Shropshire Council’s Cabinet regretfully approved proposals to transfer in-house day services for adults with learning disabilities at Aquamira to the Abbots Wood building, also in Shrewsbury. The decision follows consideration of a thorough public consultation and recommendations from the new Finance and Improvement Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Cabinet was asked to balance the extreme, ongoing financial pressures that the council faces with the council’s legal duties to meet the care needs of vulnerable residents. Everybody currently using the Aquamira service will be offered a comprehensive, person-centred care plan to meet their individual needs. 

The decision means that the specialist day service for adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities will move to the council’s own Abbots Wood facility, which is just two-and-a-half miles away. Shropshire Council is keen to stress that, before any transfer is implemented, the council will make sure Abbots Wood is ready for the transfer, update the Equality, Social and Health Impact Assessment, carry out individual care and support plan reviews, and put in place transition arrangements. 

Support will remain around the people affected throughout the transferal process, with individual needs considered before any changes are made. The council is committed to keeping people and their families and carers informed as plans progress in order to minimise disruption and ensure continuity of care. 

Cabinet understands the strength of feeling expressed by residents during the consultation, including opposition from many users of the service users and carers. However, Cabinet concluded that the current building-based model is no longer affordable because of the high and rising costs of operating the building mostly attributed to the hydrotherapy pool, alongside ongoing maintenance and reliability issues.  

The report presented to Cabinet stated that the total annual running cost of the current service model is £405,970, with non-care income of £22,240, and that hydrotherapy pool repairs in 2024/25 were around £21,000. The decision to transfer the service from Aquamira to Abbots Wood is part of Shropshire Council’s wider plans to transform services so that they provide best value for money and make best use of council facilities. 

Cabinet also understands that while the council is not under a statutory duty to provide a hydrotherapy pool, it must and will continue to meet eligible needs and agreed outcomes through Care Act assessment, care and support planning. 

Councillor Ruth Houghton, portfolio holder for adult social care, said: 

“This has been a difficult decision, and not one that any of us wants to make. None of the Cabinet were elected to cause distress to residents, especially not those receiving care from the council. We know how highly valued the Aquamira day service is by the people who use the service, their families and carers. In an ideal world, we would continue the service. However, the financial pressures that the council faces means that we have no other option. 

“I really want to emphasise that we’ll still be supporting residents at Abbots Wood, where I know our staff will continue to help people receive the help they need. Before any move takes place, there will be individual reviews and transition planning as outlined in the report. Once again, let me stress that we take this decision with genuine regret.” 

If you are affected by this change and wish to request a care needs assessment or get advice about adult social care in the county, you should contact the council directly:  

  • Phone: 0345 678 9044 (First Point of Contact team) 
  • Hours: Monday to Thursday (8:45 am to 5:00 pm) and Friday (8:45 am to 4:00 pm) 
  • Emergency Out-of-Hours: 0345 678 9040 (Emergency Social Work Team)