New £25 million development will help bed shortage in South West London

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 17, 2012 -- The shortage of beds for people needing care in South West London could soon be alleviated after plans were agreed to build a new £25 million elderly care home in New Malden.

The facility, which will be constructed in Coombe Lane West, will include beds for 92 residents and a specialist dementia care unit for 24 people. It will also create around 90 new jobs.

Kingston Council's Development Control Committee approved the plans in late January after Signature Senior Lifestyle stressed the urgency of the scheme due to the lack of care homes facilities for the frail and elderly in the area.

Indeed, Pinders recently completed an independent appraisal of care in the Kingston region and found that there is a shortfall equivalent to 928 bed spaces (or 19 care homes) within a three mile radius of the new site.

And the report suggested that the shortfall could rise to more than 1,000 beds (equivalent to 21 homes) by 2020 if nothing is done to address the issue in the meantime.

David Roe, development and planning manager for Signature, told This is London that he is delighted that the application has been give the green light.

He said: “We will be making a £25 million investment in the area, to help address the significant shortfall in quality care home provision in Kingston.

“Furthermore, we will now be able to deliver up to 90 full and part-time jobs for the area.

"We remain committed to working closely with residents to ensure we deliver this care home as quickly and smoothly as possible.”

Work on the site will begin in early 2013.

Similarly, more than £1 million is being invested into care for people suffering with dementia in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

Under the proposals, 20 beds would be specifically allocated to those suffering with dementia on a ward at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Posted by the Paying for Care editorial team

care costs     elderly care