New care home to replace Place Court planned
Monday, 8th October 2012.
A new replacement for Place Court care home in Haverhill is likely to be built on the site of the former Chalkstone Middle School to open in June 2014.
Suffolk County Council has announced today a £60million proposaln to replace the county's 16 care homes and eight wellbeing centres with ten new purpose-built homes.
Place Court will be replaced with a brand new purpose-built residential home and wellbeing centre on the site of the former Chalkstone Middle School, the statement says.
Construction of the new home would begin in June 2013, with it opening in June 2014. Place Court would then close in July 2014.
The plan has been put together jointly by the chosen operator of the county's care homes, Care UK, and the county'sown officers.
The county council's cabinet will be asked to approve the proposals next week.
It says the new facilities would make the most of advances in design and technology to ensure Suffolk people receive the best possible care.
The council says the existing homes and wellbeing centres were built in the 1960's when people's care needs were much different. Over the years the buildings have become less and less able to meet the changing needs of older and vulnerable people.
The number of older people in Suffolk aged 75 and over is expected to increase by 85 per cent by 2030 and the number of older people with dementia is expected to increase by 100 per cent in the same period.
"We simply do not have the option to do nothing," the council's statement says.
As well as providing 21st century facilities for the most vulnerable in society, the new homes would see the number of specialist dementia beds increase to 680, with 370 contracted directly to the county council.
This would help address the current shortfall in dementia care beds available in the county.
Cllr Colin Noble, cabinet member for health and adult care, said: "Our commitment and focus to ensure we get the best possible care and facilities for Suffolk people, remains as strong as ever.
"By transferring our care homes and wellbeing centres to Care UK we will attract a significant amount of investment that otherwise would simply not be available.
"The most vulnerable in society deserve the very best we can provide them - this deal represents that.
“Before the Cabinet meets I will have fulfilled the commitment I made - that I would visit each of the care homes to discuss the proposals with residents and their relatives face to face.
"It has been extremely helpful to hear first hand the views of those in our homes – a lot have been positives, which is extremely encouraging.
"However, there were some concerns and we will continue to work hard to ensure that everyone is reassured about how the proposed changes will be managed.
“If cabinet approves the proposed changes, each care home resident and attending a wellbeing centre will be allocated a social care worker to support them through the changes to ensure they continue to receive the care the need.”
All permanent members of staff will transfer to Care UK on their current terms and conditions. Staff and unions have been kept up to date throughout the process. This will continue as the project progresses.
The new homes will benefit from bigger rooms with en suite facilities and access to safe outside garden spaces. The homes will be homely and make the most of natural light.
As well as the new homes being built for the future care needs we know about, the homes will be flexible enough in layout and design to ensure that further changes in care needs can be met.
Suffolk County Council has announced today a £60million proposaln to replace the county's 16 care homes and eight wellbeing centres with ten new purpose-built homes.
Place Court will be replaced with a brand new purpose-built residential home and wellbeing centre on the site of the former Chalkstone Middle School, the statement says.
Construction of the new home would begin in June 2013, with it opening in June 2014. Place Court would then close in July 2014.
The plan has been put together jointly by the chosen operator of the county's care homes, Care UK, and the county'sown officers.
The county council's cabinet will be asked to approve the proposals next week.
It says the new facilities would make the most of advances in design and technology to ensure Suffolk people receive the best possible care.
The council says the existing homes and wellbeing centres were built in the 1960's when people's care needs were much different. Over the years the buildings have become less and less able to meet the changing needs of older and vulnerable people.
The number of older people in Suffolk aged 75 and over is expected to increase by 85 per cent by 2030 and the number of older people with dementia is expected to increase by 100 per cent in the same period.
"We simply do not have the option to do nothing," the council's statement says.
As well as providing 21st century facilities for the most vulnerable in society, the new homes would see the number of specialist dementia beds increase to 680, with 370 contracted directly to the county council.
This would help address the current shortfall in dementia care beds available in the county.
Cllr Colin Noble, cabinet member for health and adult care, said: "Our commitment and focus to ensure we get the best possible care and facilities for Suffolk people, remains as strong as ever.
"By transferring our care homes and wellbeing centres to Care UK we will attract a significant amount of investment that otherwise would simply not be available.
"The most vulnerable in society deserve the very best we can provide them - this deal represents that.
“Before the Cabinet meets I will have fulfilled the commitment I made - that I would visit each of the care homes to discuss the proposals with residents and their relatives face to face.
"It has been extremely helpful to hear first hand the views of those in our homes – a lot have been positives, which is extremely encouraging.
"However, there were some concerns and we will continue to work hard to ensure that everyone is reassured about how the proposed changes will be managed.
“If cabinet approves the proposed changes, each care home resident and attending a wellbeing centre will be allocated a social care worker to support them through the changes to ensure they continue to receive the care the need.”
All permanent members of staff will transfer to Care UK on their current terms and conditions. Staff and unions have been kept up to date throughout the process. This will continue as the project progresses.
The new homes will benefit from bigger rooms with en suite facilities and access to safe outside garden spaces. The homes will be homely and make the most of natural light.
As well as the new homes being built for the future care needs we know about, the homes will be flexible enough in layout and design to ensure that further changes in care needs can be met.
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