CABINET members voted to approve a 64-bed care facility on the site of a disused school in Bewsey, Warrington, which will cost more than £32m.
The Bewsey Old School site in Lockton Lane, Warrington, will be redeveloped as part of the proposals to create an intermediate care facility allowing patients to remain in their homes following stays in hospital.
Cllr Maureen McLaughlin said intermediate care “enables more people to live independently at home for as long as possible.”
The proposal would create “sufficient bed based facilities for the next 20 years plus.”
It was part of a plan to deliver “joined up and seamless health services” delivering care “in the right place at the right time”.
The current provision of services across the town is described as “fragmented” in the report and Padgate House is “not fit for future provision.”
The facilities, which will be based in close proximity to Warrington Hospital, will create facilities “with significant privacy and dignity.”
She told councillors at Warrington Town Hall on Monday night that there was a need to replace the ageing facilities at Padgate House, which will be sold.
The corridors at the current facility are too narrow and the building is in a poor condition, she said. There are no en-suite facilities for residents.
Doing nothing re Padgate House “is not an option” due to the building failure and maintenance costs.
The new facility will address the need for a care facility now and for the next 20 years. If the issue is not addressed, it could result in “longer stays in hospital” which would impact waiting times for other patients.
Construction costs are estimated at £32.2m excluding VAT. The capital finance regime would be delivered in partnership with NHS Cheshire.
A further report will be presented to Cabinet to appoint a construction contractor and approve a final budget.
Extensive public consultation has already taken place “and is the recommended service option of both health and service care commissioners to meet future need,” the report said.
The design contract for stages four to seven of the development, is to be awarded to Ellis Williams Architects Limited.
The care facility proposal was unanimously approved by Cabinet members.
