A new state-of-the-art centre for older people, including those with dementia, is to open in South Tyneside.
Robertson has been selected by South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust to deliver the Integrated Care Services Hub in the grounds of South Tyneside District Hospital.
Work on the development started this week, with the first patients expected to arrive in late spring 2016.
When complete, the centre will provide high-quality integrated health and social care for South Tyneside’s older people, who currently make up 18% of the Borough’s population. The centre is part of the council’s response to the borough’s ageing population and increasing numbers of people with dementia.
Andy McLeod, managing director for Robertson Construction England, said: “We are extremely proud to have been chosen to continue the redevelopment of healthcare services for the people of South Tyneside.
“The new Integrated Care Services Hub will bring a range of services under one roof for the first time.”
The centre has been specifically designed to incorporate features that support adults with dementia, drawing upon the latest research. It will offer support to enable older people to live as independently as possible in their community, for as long as possible, providing information and advice to them and their carers, as well as help to use technological aids to support independent living.
The facility will incorporate 80 beds, with around 30 people living on the site and others accessing beds for short breaks when their carers are on holiday, or before going back to live at home. There will also be rooms for medical consultations and assessments of people’s needs.
The emphasis in the ultra-modern building will be on providing a comfortable, welcoming ‘home’ environment. It will feature light-filled dining and social areas; spacious en-suite bedrooms; mini kitchens; small, cosy spaces for quiet times; and safe access to landscaped gardens.
Steve Williamson, South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust’s chief operating officer, added: “This is a very exciting project for us, but most importantly, of course, for the people of South Tyneside, and we are very pleased to have appointed Robertson. Working with them, we can now forge ahead with realising our joint vision with the council of a centre of excellence providing joined-up care for a growing ageing population and increasing numbers of people with dementia.”
The trust has appointed P+HS Architects to work on the design of the building.
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