New dementia care home welcomes its first residents

Tanworth Court, a brand new dementia care home in Shirley, welcomed its first residents earlier this month.

Designed and funded by Solihull Council, Tanworth Court, on Tanworth Lane is a high specification care home.

A SMBC spokesperson said: “It will deliver both nursing and residential care services for people with dementia and/or physical health needs. The home will provide affordable, high quality care for those funded by the Council, the NHS and people who pay for their own care.

“PrimeLife, a major provider of social care with more than 60 care homes across the country, will run the care home on behalf of the Council.

“The Council and Birmingham and Solihull Clinical Commissioning Group (BSol CCG) have worked closely with PrimeLife and GPS Medical (GP services) to ensure that people living in the home will have access to excellent healthcare support. The home, built by Speller Metcalfe, has been designed in line with Stirling University Dementia Design Principles to create a safe, stimulating and homely environment.

“The building is also environmentally friendly with ground source heating and solar roof tiles. Most of the energy needs of the home should be met through renewable energy sources.”

Councillor Karen Grinsell, Solihull Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “I’m so pleased to see Tanworth Court’s first residents settle into their new home. It’s exciting to see this new addition to the borough’s care homes and I’m confident it will provide excellent dementia care and support.

“I can’t wait to show people what a modern and carefully designed care home looks like; this is a truly wonderful example of its kind. I look forward to having an official opening soon.”

James Wood, Managing Director of PrimeLife said: “This will be the second purpose built dementia care facility that PrimeLife now operate in the borough. We look forward to developing this service over time to deliver the best quality care provision, within what can only be described as a beautiful living and working environment for our clients and staff.

“We enjoy a good relationship with colleagues at Solihull Council, and hope that this facility will serve the wider community in delivering essential services, that meet ever growing needs and aspirations for first class care provision.”

A SMBC spokesperson added: “Prime Life have been recruiting and training staff to work in the home in recent months in nursing, care and housekeeping roles. Some are highly experienced in working in the care sector and others who are new to care home work have a passion to work with older people. All staff have received intensive training to ensure they have the skills to give residents the care they deserve.

“A designated social worker will be the main link from the Council placing residents into the home and will be based on site for at least half a day each week. This will make it easier for residents, families and staff to discuss and plan admissions and check residents feel happy, well looked after and safe in their new home.

“PrimeLife will be looking to develop links to make the home part of the fabric of the local community. Already a local knitting group has got to work to make ‘twiddle muffs’, multi-sensory comforters, which should be very well received by residents.”