South Cotswolds get the go ahead for a new health and social care facility in Fairford.

25/09/2006

Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust (PCT) have given the go-ahead for negotiations to begin on developing a new site in Fairford, which will include ten intermediate care beds. This builds on work already announced last week regarding the major expansion of outpatient services at Fairford, which will offer up to 20 specialties within a year.

Following the end of consultation in early 2005, the PCT committed to work with local people to explore what became known as ‘option four’ for a new facility to be built in collaboration with an independent provider.

Since then, commissioning staff at the PCT have supported local GPs and the League of Friends in their tireless efforts to draw up plans for a new health and social care facility, with intentions to include extended outpatients, a nursing home and other community provision on the site.

Though based in Fairford, it is anticipated that the new facility will benefit the whole of the South Cotswolds. The PCT will be involved in working with developers and the League of Friends to agree more detailed plans and a business case. It is expected that this new development will be completed within two years.

Chief Executive, Richard James, said, “I am delighted to be able to support this innovative initiative, which could not have come about without the shared commitment of GPs, League of Friends, the County and District Council and the PCT. This is a legacy which the people of Fairford and further afield can be proud of in the years to come.”

League of Friends Chair, David Phillips, added, “It is an exciting step forward and we are pleased to play a key part in the development of these proposals. This is a positive example of how partnership working between health, social services, the independent sector and the community can work.”

Local GP, Guy Knights, commented, “This is extremely good news for the people of Fairford and the South Cotswolds. We now have the challenge to develop plans with our partners to provide a facility that will benefit the community. To be able to provide ‘step up step down beds’ in an up to date building should significantly improve our ability to provide care nearer to patients’ homes and improve their choice of where that care is delivered.”

Assistant Director, Community Services, Carey Wallin, explained what intermediate care means for people in the South Cotswolds, “Intermediate care allows us to support people needing short term multi-disciplinary care to get them back home quickly when they suffer a setback, such as a fall; we can prevent them going to general hospitals further away when they don’t need to – and we can help prevent them going into long term care homes.”

Kim Carey, Director of Operations and Development, for the County Council’s Community and Adult Care Directorate (Social Services), said, “We welcome the opportunity to work with the PCT and local people to ensure that the needs of the South Cotswolds are appropriately met”.