Care home visit
Staff and residents of a Sanctuary Care home in Harwich, Essex were thrilled to welcomed two special guests through their doors last week.
On Friday, MP for Harwich and Clacton, Douglas Carswell and Harwich Town Councillor Patricia Burke dropped into Don Thomson House in Low Road, Dovercourt to meet manager Michelle Webster and hear all about Sanctuary Care’s exciting plans for the home.
Mr Carswell and Councillor Burke had the opportunity to talk to Sanctuary’s head of development (Care Homes) Chris Gardner, who showed them the plans and talked them through the proposals.
Following the visit Mr Carswell said: “Don Thomson House provides a wonderful home for older folk who need it. It was great to have a look around and be shown their plans for the future.”
Councillor Burke added: “I was impressed by the care home and I hope that they get the planning permission.”
Don Thomson House is a residential care home for 28 older residents. The plans, which have been submitted to Tendring District Council, will enable staff at the home to care for up to 70 people and specialise in dementia and nursing care, of which there is a shortage locally and regionally.
Speaking about the visit Michelle Webster added: “I was very pleased to welcome these important guests into our home and share our exciting plans for the future of Don Thomson House. It was an opportunity to discuss the provision of care for older people within our area and to demonstrate the high quality care that is provided within our home.”
Chris Gardner added: “There is a huge shortage of dementia and nursing care services in the area so if approved, our plans will enable Sanctuary Care, a subsidiary of not for profit leading UK housing provider Sanctuary Group, to better meet the needs of the older generation of Harwich and turn what is already a beautiful home into a truly spectacular one.”
Sanctuary hopes to reconfigure the internal layout of the building to meet the latest standards and build a two-storey extension to the east and west of the home, which will also be completely refurbished and redecorated throughout to the highest specifications.
It will also have beautifully landscaped gardens and the car park will be increased in size.
If Sanctuary secures planning permission the 18-month project is expected to start at the beginning of next year. The work will be phased to cause minimal disruption to the staff and residents. The extension will be built first and the current residents will move into this while work on the existing building is taking place.