Question

The number of people in the UK living with dementia is forecast to nearly double during the next 20 years.  I am therefore pleased to see that the Council is proposing to build a new care home, specialising in the provision of care for people with dementia, within Emmbrook ward.  While we have a number of questions about the site, in particular about safe access, in principle an increase in care provision has to be welcomed.

Can you please confirm that this care home is in addition to Suffolk Lodge and not a replacement?

Question

The number of people in the UK living with dementia is forecast to nearly double during the next 20 years.  I am therefore pleased to see that the council is proposing to build a new care home, specialising in the provision of care for people with dementia, within Emmbrook ward.  While we have a number of questions about the site, in particular about safe access, in principle an increase in care provision has to be welcomed.

Can you please confirm that this care home is in addition to Suffolk Lodge and not a replacement?

Answer

It is true that the number of our older people with dementia is expected to increase.  We have identified a need for affordable provision locally to support the needs of the community.

Suffolk Lodge currently provides residential care for 36 older people living with dementia who need the support of a secure environment and a higher level of care from staff.  Suffolk Lode is run by Optalis Ltd and was rated as ‘Good’ in its most recent inspection.

While Suffolk Lodge has served the community well since the 1980s, the building itself does not provide the level of facilities to meet the projected need for the community.  This includes sufficient provision of nursing care.

Subject to planning permission, it is anticipated that the proposed care home will be delivered in late 2023.  We envisage that the home will provide Wokingham with the additional capacity to meet both the existing need and future need for residential and nursing dementia care.  The proposed care home will provide 68 beds and will be designed to meet the care needs of older people specifically with dementia.  The delivery of the new care home will result in the closure of Suffolk Lodge, with residents being accommodated within the new care home within Emmbrook.

We will obviously work, and are in the process of working with residents, families and colleagues at Suffolk Lodge to ensure that the best interests of all parties are represented.

Supplementary Question:

The closure of a dementia care home is a difficult and sensitive issue, as moving these vulnerable older people out of their home can be a frightening and distressing experience for them.  Wokingham’s team of Adult Social Care Officers is caring and proactive and we can be certain that they will do their best to care for these patients and their families.  When the old Fosters care home in Woodley was closed a few years’ ago I know these were a deeply worrying time for residents, families and staff who were affected.  Many did not want the closure to go ahead, and residents were moved to private care homes, at considerable cost to patients.  The concerns reached BBC News.  What has the Council learned from that experience which could make the transition easier when Suffolk Lodge is closed?

Supplementary Answer:

I was not obviously in post when Fosters was closed so it is quite hard for me to comment off the bat, basically about that situation.  I am happy to come back to you with a written answer.  What I would say is already discussions have taken place with staff, residents and with families to make this move as smooth as possible.  We are very aware of the need to do that properly, hence the fact that whilst this is still in its very, very, early stages, as I said to late 2023 and subject to planning and business case.  There is a lot of things that could change that.  We are already engaging with people to make sure that this is as smooth as possible, but what I would also say is that whilst I fully understand and appreciate that it would be disruptive for people, this new investment in this much improved home, basically will be a big step forward for the quality of life and the quality of experience for these people when it opens.  I do hear your comments and concerns and it is taken on board, and I will come back to you on the Fosters point.