City hopes Ministers will back dementia ‘centres of excellence’

The proposal to build 215 “extra care” units – the only scheme in the country to survive the Government’s comprehensive spending review – is now expected to win Ministers’ approval in September as the funding has already been allocated in principle.

Approval would see the delivery of purpose-built accommodation for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents, catering for about a third of the need.

Extra care caters for a range of vulnerable people, including frail, elderly people, dementia sufferers and people with learning or physical disabilities who are less able to look after themselves and enables them to have more independent lives and participate in the community.

Each would have their own self-contained home, access to communal facilities, with round-the-clock support on site for those who need help to live independently.

The facilities would be housed at three sites – on the former Holden Centre in east Hull, in Hawthorne Avenue in west Hull, and at The Thorpes in the north – to spread provision across the city.

An alternative site in Selworthy Close, Bransholme, has also been earmarked in case of difficulties securing the land in Hawthorne Avenue.

Cabinet members at the council said they were delighted by the opportunity to transform the care of vulnerable people.

Councillor Rilba Jones, portfolio holder for health and equalities, said: “We have a shortage of this type of care in the city and the flexible arrangements we will be able to offer mean that frail, elderly and vulnerable people will be able to live independently, and elderly couples can stay together when one needs a higher level of care than the other.

“I am delighted that we are getting nearer to being able to offer the special care that these people require and deserve.”

Coun John Black, portfolio holder for strategic and operational housing, said the developments were good for the whole city.

He said: “This is very welcome news.

“Now we just need Treasury approval and work, then procurement can start.

“As well as providing much needed flexible care for our more vulnerable residents, three new facilities will bring jobs and opportunities to those communities where they are being built.”

The funding would deliver 209, two-bedroom extra care homes available at “affordable” rent, and six one-bedroom respite or intermediate care units.

Communal facilities would include large and small activity rooms, lounges and a conservatory, a hairdresser’s and beauty therapy suite, a restaurant and staff facilities.

Residents’ level of care would be adjusted as their needs change but for most people, the units would be a home for life.

To qualify the three sites have to be in council ownership or capable of being acquired and cleared for development before a contract to build the units is awarded.

Two of the sites meet these criteria, although 17 properties in Hawthorne Avenue are still to be acquired. The council is actively pursuing these properties but is prepared to use compulsory purchase orders if necessary to ensure the scheme goes ahead.

The project is an amalgamation of two earlier ones, which saw expressions of interest for PFI credits approved in 2009 and 2010.

Subject to Department of Health approval, the procurement procedure would start in October with a contract to deliver the project being awarded in January 2014.

Construction would then start in February 2014 with an expected completion date of November 2015.

There are only 40 extra care places in the city and the council has identified a medium-term need for 600.