New care home in Malmesbury

1:52pm Tuesday 1st July 2008

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The first residents will move into a new state-of-the-art care home in Malmesbury this week.

Athelstan House provides nursing and residential places for 80 people, replacing an existing smaller residential home in the town.

Around 50 people are moving into their new home on July 2 from the existing Burnham House.

The care home forms part of a £20m "care campus" that is being developed on the former Malmesbury Community Hospital as a partnership between Wiltshire PCT, Wiltshire County Council, The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), the Gable House GP Practice and Brackley Investment.

It will provide a mix of residential and nursing placements together with six intermediate care beds, contracted to the PCT, and ten short stay beds contracted to the county council for people who are not quite ready to return to their own home but should be able to do so following a structured rehabilitation and reablement programme.

The care home is designed to the highest standards, with spacious residents' bedrooms each with their own ensuite toilet and shower. The accommodation is divided into four semi self contained care wings, each with their own lounge, dining room and assisted bathing facilities.

It marks a major milestone for the project which last month saw the opening of primary care centre that houses the Gable House GP Practice.

The project also includes 28 extra care sheltered housing apartments with 24-hour care and support. Residents in the extra care apartments will also be able to make use of communal areas that include a hairdressing and beauty salon, bar and shop, and internet café.

Peggy Pike, who is one of the people moving into Athelstan House said: "I think this is a wonderful opportunity for residents. We are all looking forward to the new experience."

John Thomson, county council cabinet member for community services, said: "It is a real joy to see this major project reach this milestone. Providing people with this type of state-of-the-art accommodation will improve their quality of life and shows what can be achieved through strong partnerships such as this."

Diane Bowden, OSJT county director for Wiltshire, said: "I am sure there will be many mixed emotions as we bid Burnham House a fond farewell on July 2.

"However, there is much excitement among residents and staff at the thought of moving into Athelstan House at last and with the improved environment and resources we will be able to support local Malmesbury people more effectively in the future.

"Special thanks to our Burnham House staff for all their hard work in the run up to the move to make sure everything goes according to plan."