SUPPORTERS rallied behind parents in the latest meeting fighting to save a centre for disabled children.

Mother Angelina Murphy said: “We are really proud to see the public supporting us. It is heart-warming to see people who have followed us on Twitter turning up to support us.

“Some of the children who qualify for continuing healthcare did not have this assessment until the closure of the centre was announced and would not have found out otherwise.

“Some children with high medical need had been disqualified from attending the centre because they did not have learning disabilities because of the admission policy.

“I still do not know what to feel, as we still don’t know when all of this will happen and we need months to move the children’s care safely, but time is not on our side.”

Richard Harrington MP has gained signatures from four other MPs in the area in a letter to the Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) asking for a guarantee the service is fully funded until January 31, and for a six-week consultation process.

Councillor Nigel Bell for the Labour Party said: “The stress that has been put on these parents for the last few months has been terrible.

“Some families are already at breaking point as it is, and rushing through a decision by November 2 will not help to get the right care for the children that need it.

“There also seems to be no easing of the pressure on the CCG by NHS England in their bid to find cuts.”

The CCG have confirmed the service will be sustained until the end of January, but state that the public consultation, which began on October 5 will be wrapped up by October 23.

The organisation states this is to give the families and staff more notice to help them make a decision on November 2 ahead of their full meeting.

A statement issued by the CCG said: “In making our decision we will have regard to information that has been generated as a result of the recent legal proceedings, joint needs assessments and any matters arising from our discussions with families and stakeholders to date and over the next few weeks.

“The CCG has written to the county council to formally ask as part of the engagement and decision process whether it wishes to put forward a proposal for the future commissioning of services at Nascot Lawn on an appropriate joint-funding basis.”

Hertfordshire County Council were contacted for comment.

The next meeting will be held at the Stanmmore Centre in St Albans Road, Watford on Tuesday, October 17 at 7.30pm.