Other care homes

ABBEY COURT

A purpose-built care home for older people was built in Falcon Way, Bourne, in 2010, providing 88 single en-suite bedrooms and designed specifically to meet the needs of those requiring general or specialist dementia nursing care, usually over the age of 65.

The home, known as Abbey Court, is owned by the Priory Group and is registered with the Care Commission. It was opened for inspection on September 9th when the public were invited in to see the facilities and the first residents began to arrive the following week.

The Priory Group owns a number of similar care homes around the country. The company was established in 1980 and is now Europe's leading independent provider of acute mental health care, secure and step down services, specialist education, complex care and neuro-rehabilitation services, fostering and care homes. Its web site says:

"With treatments tailored to each individual, whether someone is suffering from mild depression, a severe learning disability or requires long term care, the Priory can help. We have instilled a culture within our homes that ensures all of our residents are treated as individuals and with dignity, and the environment really does offer a home from home feel. All our care homes are new builds, fit for purpose with en-suite facilities and some also have dual occupancy bedrooms for couples."

The official opening was held in November 2010 when a ceremonial ribbon was cut by managing director Sharon Butler and Lincolnshire County Councillor Sue Woolley (Bourne Abbey). "People are now living longer and have more complex needs and associated health issues", said Ms Butler. "We have the experience to care for them."

PHOTO ALBUM

In June 2012, twenty trees were planted around the care home by the Bourne Lions Club as part of their commitment to the environment.

QU'APPELLE

The Qu'Appelle residential care home opened in Harrington Street in the summer of 2011, having previously been located for twenty years at 32 West Street, a two-storey period town house, but the premises had become outdated with no parking and restricted to only 19 beds.

The new home was built on the site of Woolf's Garage after planning permission was granted by South Kesteven District Council in February 2010.

The manager, Sandra Wilson, told The Local newspaper (14th August 2009) that the new building would be "a home for the 21st century". "The design is very modern for the optimum in dementia care. Qu'Appelle currently has lots of issues with it being an old home. We are not able to adapt it to the level for the care we want to provide, which is why we wish to move. We are well known for our friendly and homely feel which we want to take with us."

The £2 million red brick building was specially designed as a care home with the help of the Alzheimer's Society and contains 35 rooms, also providing respite care, particularly for those suffering from dementia.

The move created 15 new jobs and over 300 people turned up to inspect the premises during an open day in August and were all given a guided tour. The owners are Tarsem and Polly Sunnar and the home is run by their Leicester-based private limited company.

WOOD GRANGE

The Wood Grange Care Home in Westminster Lane, off West Road, Bourne, offers 24-hour general nursing and residential care together with respite care, short breaks and day care. It also specialises in care for people with dementia, including Alzheimer's Disease in their Memory Lane Community together with support for younger people with physical disabilities.

Wood Grange is owned by the London-based Barchester Healthcare, one of the country's largest companies in the field, currently caring for over 10,000 people at more than 200 different locations. Their advertising statement for Wood Grange says: "Our team of highly-qualified and attentive staff really focuses on the individual needs of our residents with a tailored care plan for each person and our dedication can be seen across the board, in our cooking, hospitality and organised activities for our residents."

In July 2007, residents and staff launched a new cook book, "We'll Eat Again" in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum. It consisted of wartime recipes and residents from other homes came to join residents and staff for a typical meal. Sandra Baker, activities manager, said: "We decided to give the residents a trip back down memory lane enjoying a menu from the cook book."

The meal selected from the book consisted of bubble and squeak, soup or Yorkshire pudding and onion gravy for starter. For the main course, residents had the choice of either hunt pie or steamed fish roll, served with potato floodies and spring cabbage with rhubarb sponge and custard, along with padded pudding, served up for dessert. The dining room was decorated in wartime style, complete with a nostalgic fireplace and the staff were dressed in period uniform and after the meal, residents joined in dancing and a quiz about the old days.

Staff work with Help the Aged to plan fun and stimulating activities for residents and visitors are invited in weekly for coffee or for lunch and to join in social activities as part of their day services and luncheon club.

The home is rated ‘Excellent' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent body that regularly inspects all care homes in England and Wales and publishes the ratings it awards each home, namely excellent, good, adequate and poor.

REVISED JUNE 2012