Dementia care to take off with a new wing

Providing good quality dementia care is an increasing priority across the country.

In Kent, a new wing has been added to Kent County Council’s Broadmeadow care home in Folkestone to provide specialist dementia services – and was formally opened earlier yesterday [5 July 2011] by Paul Carter, Leader of Kent County Council.

The two-storey extension, called the Channel Suite, cost £1.8m and provides facilities that are designed to support people living with dementia across East Kent area.

On the ground floor there are eight short stay beds, all ensuite – a place where people can be assessed and be helped to maintain life skills. This helps to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and reduce the need for long term residential care.

On the first floor are three memory clinics as well as space for both health and social care teams and a 15-place day centre, which can run seven days a week. This provides a 50% increase in the number of day care places.

The standard of the building means it offers a dementia-friendly environment of the quality that older people and those with dementia should expect.

Broadmeadow opened as a 40-bed home with 20 places for intermediate care and 20 for respite care in August 2008, after the original building programme was interrupted by the Folkestone Earthquake in 2007. It provides care for older people and younger adults with physical disabilities. The new centre has five specially designed flats, equipped to meet the needs of younger physically disabled adults, who can use them to enjoy a short break and improve their skills in living independently.

The centre also delivers, in partnership with NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent, services that promote independence through intermediate care and recuperative care, preparing older people for a return to their own homes as soon as possible to live independently.

Leader of KCC, Paul Carter, said: “I think this is an excellent achievement. The quality of the build is absolutely superb and I would like to say a big thank you to all those who have been involved. These things don’t just happen and the people who make decisions, those in the supply chain and everybody else have play an essential part.

“I wish everyone who works here, and who comes for support here, happiness and success.”

KCC Cabinet member for Kent Adult Social Services, Graham Gibbens, said: “The importance of this new wing to Broadmeadow cannot be underestimated.

“Quality care in quality buildings that have the right environment is crucial to provide the level of care and support for those who are living with dementia.

“Broadmeadow is already a busy and effective place. Adult Social Services staff worked very hard with architects and contractors to open this superb facility two and half years ago for East Kent. More of that determination and professional commitment has made the Channel Suite a reality.”

A plaque to mark the occasion was unveiled in the foyer of the centre, on Park Farm Road, Folkestone.

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