Asian People's with Disabilities Alliance Premises Crisis

Written by Sarah Teather MP and published in North West London Newspapers Times/Chronicle Series on Wed 7th Jan 2004

Sarah Teather and Princess Anne at the Alliance Disability Centre

Firstly I must start by wishing everybody a happy new year. I hope that the holiday period was enjoyable and peaceful for all. In my first column of the New Year I want to draw attention to an issue that has caused me increasing concern, the future of the Asian People's with Disabilities Alliance Centre (APDA) at the Central Middlesex Hospital.

I have visited the centre on a number of occasions and have seen for myself the extraordinary level of care that the centre provides for disabled people in our local community. I attended the open day that the centre held recently to mark the International Day for Disabled People when the Princess Royal came to visit. The open day aptly demonstrated the excellence of APDA's work. Not only does the centre provide physical care but it also provides emotional support and a valuable meeting place for disabled people and carers.

I believe the Princess remarked on the day how impressed she was with the level of commitment that the staff at the centre give to the care of disabled people. It is a viewpoint that I entirely share. One of the most remarkable things about the APDA is the centre itself. Never have I seen a building so geared up to meeting the needs of disabled people. It is such a shame that the hard work done by the APDA in creating this centre is being undermined over tenancy disputes with Brent Council and the Central Middlesex Hospital Trust.

The Alliance believed that it had an undertaking from both Brent Council and the Central Middlesex Hospital Trust that it would occupy its current premises for many years to come. However because of the rebuilding work as part of the Hospital's Private Finance Initiative the Centre's future is under threat. The problem facing APDA is that at its current location it has developed a truly world-class centre for disabled people. If the association had to move it would have to re-do a lot of the hard work it has put in over many years in adapting the new premises to suit its needs. But may be worse than that, the unique atmosphere and sense of community which the centre provides would almost certainly be lost.

I hope that Brent Council and the Central Middlesex Hospital Trust can resolve the differences with APDA and that their uncertain accommodation is resolved quickly and amicably so that the Alliance can continue with its excellent work in caring for our local community.