We need to plan for the future where Dementia and other care needs are concerned, and in the face of the current government’s slash and burn approach to local government it is still possible to take action.
Despite the challenging time we face the priority for our town must remain ensuring people in Reading get the care and support they need to help them lead fulfilling lives.
That’s one reason I’m so pleased that the council has now formally gone out to tender to seek a partner to provide a new residential nursing home in Southcote.
All the information is that we can expect a growing need for specialist care for people with dementia.
I also want families to be confident that their loved ones are living in a caring environment which is able to provide specialist support to meet their needs while remaining as close by as possible.
The publication of tender documents this week therefore a really important stage in delivering this new care home for Reading. All bids will be carefully considered to deliver the best possible facility for Reading and the local community in Southcote.
Extract from council press release:
PLANS to build a brand new residential nursing home specialising in dementia care have taken a major step forward with the start of the official tender process.
Reading Borough Council is creating a new residential home on the site of the former Alice Burrows, at Dwyer Road, Southcote. The new home will provide nursing care for up to 70 people, with 30 spaces set aside to care for residents who are either very frail or in need of dementia care, and are eligible for support from the Council’s adult social care service.
Following the official publication of tender documents this week, care providers have until September 14th to return bids. A detailed selection process will follow with the final award of the contract expected in February 2016. Subject to planning permission, it is expected that builders will be on site next year.
Demand for residential nursing care is growing nationally, with specialist dementia care particularly in demand. The Alzheimer’s Society estimates almost two-thirds of all care home residents have a form of dementia. This is in contrast to the reduced need for residential only care, which is seeing reducing demand as alternatives such as extra-care are developed.
Reading as a town currently has five nursing homes, only two of which offer specialist care for people with dementia.
The Council’s proposal to use land at the site of the former Alice Burrows Care Home to build a new residential nursing care home is a step towards meeting a known and likely to grow need in Reading.
The plans have been discussed in detail with Healthwatch Reading, Alzheimers Society, Age UK, ward councillors and community groups, all of which support the idea.
