New facility helps tackle the growing issue of older people with dementia.

Added: 01/05/2008
Category: Norfolk County Council

Heathfield care home in Norwich has been refurbished to offer specialist dementia care for 37 older people in Norfolk as part of a £603,000 scheme to invest in providing 72 additional dementia care beds in Norfolk.

Norfolk County Council, NHS Norfolk and Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership are developing the beds to cater for Norfolk's growing number of people suffering from dementia. The scheme to increase the number of dementia care home places has seen similar changes taking place at Mountfield in Norwich and work is also underway at Munhaven in Mundesley.

With the number of people suffering from dementia in Norfolk set to increase from 13,500 in 2008 to 21,000 by 2025 the need for more dementia care in the county has been recognised.

Heathfield is one of Norfolk County Council's 25 care homes for older people and has seen refurbishment to the building and garden in order to gain Commission for Social Care Inspection registration to provide more dementia care.

Previously Heathfield had 37 beds but could only cater for five people with dementia. Staffing levels have been increased and specialist training provided for staff.

The refurbishment at Heathfield cost £182,000 and has been funded by Norfolk County Council and NHS Norfolk with a grant from the Department of Health.

Chris Mowle, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services said: "Norfolk County Council and NHS Norfolk are working together to tackle the growing issue of older people with dementia in Norfolk. Heathfield will provide a valuable new resource for older people in Norfolk."

Wendy Hardicker, Assistant Director of Commissioning for NHS Norfolk said: "Following the recent reported outcomes from Norfolk PCT's public consultation into the commissioning of older people's mental health services, and in line with the developments of an integrated care pathway, we are pleased to have supported and been involved with this initiative."