A CHARITY'S plans to build a 64-bed care home and a 24-bed reablement centre in Cadbury Heath have been approved.

Brunelcare’s trustees have approved the investment of more than £10million of charitable funds into extending its care services in the community.

It says the development will create 100 jobs and and reduce bed blocking at local hospitals. 

South Gloucestershire Council, which previously operated the Heath Resource Centre and Newton House Care Home on the Earlstone Crescent site, has approved the scheme.

The plans say: “The need for additional high quality older persons care is without doubt due to the ageing population.

“The benefits of delivery of such care by a not-for-profit charity are extensive not least due to the likelihood of such care being more affordable than if delivered by a ‘high end’ private organisation.

“The application site is highly sustainable and has been derelict since the former care home and health resource centre were closed down.

“The proposal will deliver 64 en-suite bedrooms for residents requiring permanent 24-hour care for dementia and other age-related care conditions, in a self-contained facility empowering residents to enjoy a high quality of life in their last years.

“The development will provide purpose-built accommodation, reducing hospital admissions due to older people living in market housing, and freeing-up such homes.”

Reablement, according to the Social Care Institute for Excellence,  is “a short and intensive service, usually delivered in the home, which is offered to people with disabilities and those who are frail or recovering from an illness or injury.”

Reacting to the approval, Brunelcare CEO Kevin Fairman said: “This is excellent news in that we will be able to increase the number of care home places Brunelcare currently provides for people in the South West region by 20 per cent, along with expanding our already successful reablement service, supporting people returning home from hospital.

“The versatility of this building will enable us to offer a variety of care and support needs to meet the changing requirements of care provision going forward.

“This development will also provide over 100 new job opportunities, for both our existing employees and new recruits, when we recruit to run this new service.”