REDCAR & Cleveland Borough Council is transforming a former care home in Eston into an Intermediate Care Centre, which will help residents of the borough to regain their independence following severe illness or after a discharge from hospital.
The new Redcar & Cleveland Intermediate Care Centre (RCICC) will be developed at the former Hillview Care Home in Eston, and will be fully refurbished and adapted to provide the latest in design and technology.
The council will be working in partnership with the local NHS to provide high quality therapy and rehabilitation facilities to enable residents to recover more quickly from illness, promoting their independence and longer and healthier lives.
The service will provide up to six weeks of high quality care and support to help residents recover from illness. It could often be as little as one to two weeks before residents can return to their own homes; having had the opportunity to regain their confidence and independence.
The aims of the service will be to help residents:
- remain living in their own home for as long as possible by promoting independence;
- avoid going into hospital unnecessarily;
- return home more quickly after a hospital stay;
- prepare for living in the supported living schemes, supported by the council.
The project will cost up to £5 million, with the money coming from a capital grant and the Better Care Fund, which is a pooled budget between thecouncil and the NHS.
It is expected to create more than 100 new jobs, including care and rehabilitation workers, housekeeping and grounds staff, and therapy and nursing professionals. It will also provide a host of opportunities for apprenticeships, undergraduate, and post-graduate training across the South Tees health and social care sector.
Councillor David Walsh, Cabinet Member for Adults at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “We are absolutely committed to meeting the needs of our aging population and, for as long as possible, help them live fulfilled, independent and happy lives.
“This development will help people with varying needs, to remain in their homes and with their families for longer.”
Dr Ali Tahmassebi, South Tees CCG, said: “This exciting development forms part of a joint commitment with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to enable local residents to receive the care and support they need in times of ill health.
“The South Tees area has an above average rate of deprivation and a higher than the England average for almost all disease prevalence. Rates of non-elective admissions are amongst the highest in the country and are growing. This growth, together with an increasing population of elderly and vulnerable people living with a long term condition, present a very real challenge. Managing illness and supporting people in non-hospital settings where possible to maximise healthy life expectancy and enable independent living is a key priority for NHS South Tees CCG and the local authorities.”