Care home development on Townlands site clears final hurdle

Partnership working between the county council and NHS had hatched a plan to relocate the town's smaller Chiltern's End Care Home to the site, alongside the redevelopment of the hospital, in 2009.

Now building work for the project has been given the green light by the NHS, which will result in the town getting a centrally-located facility with 18 more beds that the current Chiltern's End site, situated on Greys Road.

The new home, which will be operated by the Order of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), will have 48 nursing beds and 16 beds for specialist residential dementia care and will allow more people in the area to be cared for locally.

It is being developed by the Oxfordshire Care Partnership, who currently run Chiltern's End, in partnership with the county council.

Partnership working

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Local people have been aware of this project for a number of years since it was proposed and I am sure they will join me in being delighted that we are now at the stage where building work has been approved.

"The new care home will be in the centre of Henley-on-Thames and is an excellent example of health and social care services working closely together by using the same site for joint provision and for the benefit of local people."

Great addition to town

Dan Hayes, Operations Director for OSJCT, said: “We are delighted to be working collaboratively with the NHS and Oxfordshire County Council on this exciting new project in Henley-on-Thames. The new home will have 64 beds and will be aimed primarily at people living with dementia and those with nursing needs.

"The facilities will be right up to date, with en suite bedrooms and including WiFi throughout the home.  It will also feature our “household” design, which means residents won’t feel as though they are living in a large institution and can really get to know their neighbours.

"It is very good news that all the efforts put in by the local community and relevant authorities will culminate in a fabulous new care home to complement the new health care services on the Townlands site.”

The new care home will be constructed at the same time as the hospital and is expected to open shortly after the hospital is completed.