Hica sells care homes to focus on new dementia units

Hica, which has a turnover of more than £30m and currently employs 2,500 staff, yesterday said it was launching the £21m expansion programme as part of its long-term strategic plan to focus on providing specialist dementia care and specialist care and support for people with a learning disability.

The nine care homes it is selling are not deemed suitable for providing advanced dementia care, said Hica.

Those to be sold by Hica are Longhill House, Hull; Holyrood House and Albemarle, Hedon; Parklands, Rawcliffe; Danes Lea, Bridlington; Alderlea, Humberston; Huntleigh Lodge, Cleethorpes; The Anchorage, Grimsby; and Stanage Lodge, Grimsby.

Hica said that the new purpose-built care homes will each accommodate between 60 and 90 people and will feature state-of-the-art dementia care facilities and services.

The first home will be built in the East Riding at a location to be announced during the summer. Construction work is due to begin in the autumn.

Hica will build additional care homes in the East Riding, North Yorkshire and along the M62 corridor.

Hica Care Homes managing director Ty Platten said: “One in three people over the age of 65 will develop some form of dementia and when the person can no longer be supported and cared for at home, a specialist dementia care home such as ours will not only provide the appropriate care and support but will offer specialist environments to enhance and enable people to live well and live safely.

“Hica is already recognised as a leader in specialist dementia care following the success of The Lodge facility in Chorley, Lancashire, which we opened five years ago in a joint venture operation.”

Mr Platten added: “It is important to emphasise that we are selling each of these homes as a going concern and it is expected that the new owners will simply continue the good work that the homes have provided to the community over the years.

“Residents will not be affected and as ownership is transferred, staff will continue in their existing roles, thus providing continuation of care and support.”