HRH The Duke of Gloucester officially opened Chestnut Court, the new £6 million state of the art care home, operated by The Orders of St John Care Trust’s (OSJCT) in Quedgeley, on Tuesday 16 February 2010.

Chestnut Court is run by The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council and bpha (The Gloucestershire Care Partnership).

More than 60 guests attended the opening ceremony to celebrate the completion of the two-year project, including residents, staff, local dignitaries and executives from OSJCT and bpha, and the county council, which together form the Gloucestershire Care Partnership (GCP).

The 80-bed care facility provides nursing care and also includes a specialist dementia unit designed in conjunction with the Iris Murdoch Centre at Stirling University, acknowledged experts in the field of dementia care design.  The unit includes a number of features to promote reminiscence as therapy, including posters from the 1950s, a red telephone box and an old fashioned washing line in the garden so that residents can see washing on the line as it would have been ‘at home’.

The decoration, lighting and furnishings in the 40-bed dementia unit have been specially designed to help residents maintain as high a level of independence as possible.  This includes an innovative light guidance system in each bedroom, as well as colour schemes and signage to assist orientation.  The unit also has a Snoezelen room – combining light and sound as therapy.  The garden areas have been designed to allow easy access and opportunities to grow flowers and vegetables, look after pets and provide “sensory” outdoor rooms, whilst remaining safe and secure.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sir Nicholas Mander, Chairman of GCP and Trustee of OSJCT, said: “Chestnut Court is the first new care facility to be opened in Gloucestershire as part of a £60m redevelopment programme of care facilities by the Gloucestershire Care Partnership, working with the County Council.

“This new development is part of an ambitious programme to develop facilities that meet the current and future requirements for the care of older people and I’m sure that Chestnut Court will be a great asset to the local community.”

Tony Hicks, Gloucestershire County Council’s Community and Adult Care said: “Older people in our county deserve only the very best care, especially those who have the highest level needs. Chestnut Court is a superb modern nursing and care home and its new dementia care facility will make a big difference to the lives of people who need this type of support, maximising their independence. The number of people suffering from this distressing condition is set to double in the next 15 years and this specialist part of the home is a great addition to facilities for older people in Gloucester.”

Tracey Nurding, Care Home Manager, Chestnut Court said: ” It has been a very busy two years since the start of the project, and I am extremely proud of the new team here at Chestnut Court.  The new dementia wing has been designed to facilitate a higher degree of independence for those suffering with dementia, by providing light guidance technology in each room, increased signage throughout with varying colour schemes and secure sensory gardens. Guidance was sought from the University of Stirling who at the time of the design project were innovative in their approach to new buildings.”

John Cross, Chief Executive of bpha, commended the work of those involved in the project: “bpha is delighted to have participated in the development of this scheme to create a much needed high quality and safe care environment.  This care home is the result of the efforts of a large team of people, both in bpha, the County Council and The Orders of St John Care Trust and it is thanks to their hard work that this community scheme will help provide high quality specialist care for people in an increasingly aging population.”

-ENDS-

Issued on behalf of The Orders of St John Care Trust by Lava. For further information contact Louise or Steph at Lava on 01522 842 800 / louise@lavapr.co.uk or steph@lavapr.co.uk.

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