For immediate release: 13 August 2008
Health Minister to visit Hartlepool's innovative housing partnership development
Ivan Lewis, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Care Services, is to this week (13 August) visit Hartfields, the new housing and ‘extra care’ community for older people in Hartlepool.
The creation of Hartfields is the result of an innovative collaboration between the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT), Hartlepool Borough Council (HBC), Hartlepool Primary Care Trust (PCT) and North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Trust.
Hartlepool Borough Council has invited the Health Minister to visit Hartfields to witness first-hand how the ‘extra care’ concept works. He will tour the accommodation and see communal facilities available to residents and local people such as a gym and spa pool, arts and crafts workshop, library, hair salon, restaurant and cafe. He will meet future residents and members of the team that run Hartfields.
Ivan Lewis said: “I am delighted to see that the first part of this new extra care housing development is now up and running.
“Extra care housing is about offering people a choice. Too often I hear of cases where a couple who have been together for over fifty years are forced apart because one requires care and has no choice but to enter residential or nursing care leaving their partner at home.
“That is why the Department of Health has allocated a total of £227 million to local authorities for extra care housing. I look forward to more developments like this one giving people a choice about how and where they choose to spend their later life.”
The Health Minister will be met by John Kennedy, Director of Care Services for JRHT, and Councillor Gerard Hall, Portfolio Holder for Adult and Public Health for HBC.
Councillor Hall said: “We are delighted that Mr Lewis is able to see the impressive Hartfields development first hand. It sets a new standard for retirement villages around the country and is an excellent example of what can be achieved by partnership working.”
John Kennedy of JRHT said: “The development offers residents a whole new approach to care. The concept enables older people to live in their own homes, in a socially stimulating environment, with support available if they need it. We are looking forward to showing the Minister around.”
After visiting Hartfields, the Council’s planned itinerary for the Health Minister is to visit the Manor Residents Association.
Notes to Editors:
- Hartfields is owned and managed by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, a charity and registered social landlord which runs housing and care schemes in York and elsewhere in Yorkshire.
- Members of the media will be able to take photos at 2:30pm. Press wishing to attend, please contact Daniel Harrison at the JRF.
Issued by Dan Harrison, JRF Temporary Media Relations Manager:
01904 615919 or press.temp@jrf.org.uk
