Issued by City of York Council 
City of York Council’s cabinet will consider proposals on the next phase of its Elderly Persons’ Homes (EPH) Modernisation Programme, at a meeting on 4 June 2013, as it adopts ‘a home within a home’ model for care in the city.
The proposals are part of the council’s wider ambition for York as a “Dementia Friendly City” and aim to meet the changing needs of the city’s aging population, enabling them to live in their own homes and communities for longer.
Plans being considered by Cabinet will recommend going out to tender for the delivery of two new care home facilities; at Burnholme in the East of the city, and Lowfield, Acomb in the West of the city.
The care home at Lowfield will be part of a planned wider Community Village For Older People that also includes a Community Hub and other housing accommodation for older people; providing residents with care support from independent living right through to end-of-life care.
The modern care homes will provide a new “Household Model” of residential care whereby residents will live in self-contained households that are home to a maximum of 12 residents – “a home within a home” environment – with similar care needs.
Each household will have a kitchen and open plan communal spaces that will help promote a sense of community, whilst also supporting the staffs’ work with residents. The residents’ own bedrooms will be en-suite so that privacy and dignity is ensured and there will be access to a mix of private and shared outdoor spaces.
The decision to adopt this model has been drawn from many examples of innovative care in the UK and Europe alongside significant work by the council to explore future demand for specialist residential care and the developing supply of local residential and nursing care provided by the independent sector. This work has also informed a decision by the council that a third care home at Haxby Hall is not required, based on future demand and affordability.
Cabinet will consider progressing to tender with an external provider to design, build and run the two care homes and community village. The council will fund the building of the two new care homes through its existing budget for residential care in the city, which means it will retain ownership of the buildings and the land on which they stand.
It is felt that this solution will deliver the best value, providing high quality care at a competitive price. Subject to planning permission, it is anticipated that the new care homes will start to be built during 2015 and will open in 2016.
Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, Cabinet Member for Health, Housing & Adult Social Services said, “Our focus throughout this process has been to ensure we are able to support the care requirements of York’s ageing population; providing high quality facilities to the size required – not just today, but long-term.
“Our care homes will be built along recognised best practice, which has moved forward since we first envisaged the design and will feature a Household Model, providing a ‘home within a home’ for our residents. The Community Village is a particular exciting concept as it will provide residents with a care offer which runs from independent living through to End of Life Care.
“I understand that those who work or live at Haxby Hall currently will be concerned about the decision not to replace the facility and we have assured them that we will be working with them closely throughout this process of transition to ensure they are kept informed and their needs are met.”
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