New state of the art Hospital reaches milestone

CHAIRMAN Beatrice Fraenkel joined clinical staff to mark the installation of the 2st steelwork for Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust's state of the art £33 million Hospital in Maghull.

Ms Fraenkel was on site for the installation of the 2st 350 tonnes of steelwork for Aspen Wood, as the Hospital will be known. A 40 bed specialist learning disability Hospital on Maghull Health Park, it marks a major investment in care for people with complex needs who require forensic NHS care.

The Hospital is set to open to patients in 18 months and Ms Fraenkel said:- "I'm so proud to see this brilliant new building under way. We're committed to creating a centre of excellence in forensic care here in Sefton and Aspen Wood will be the latest part of that vision."

The new low secure Hospital will offer a world class therapeutic environment delivering an entirely new model of secure learning disability care. It will be equipped with the latest technology and innovation to improve quality, safety and world class patient experience and is a joint venture with Vinci Construction UK, Gilling Dod Architects and Sir Robert McAlpine on 6.5 acres of NHS land.

Mersey Care Chief Executive Prof Joe Rafferty CBE said:- "Maghull has a long and living history of Hospitals providing mental health care for more than a century, so we're delighted to be continuing that tradition. This new Hospital represents significant investment, delivering world class care in the most modern therapeutic environment. As the building itself comes together, it cements the future of Maghull Health Park as a centre of excellence, as well as help boost the local economy and jobs."

Aspen Wood will sit alongside Rowan View, a state of the art medium secure Hospital which has just completed its 2st year of operations at Maghull Health Park, and Garry Bowker, Regional Director for IHP (Integrated Health Projects) said:- "We're delighted to have reached this exciting milestone. Seeing the project take shape is really rewarding for the whole team and underlines just how well works are progressing. Working closely with Mersey Care's team has been crucial in developing this new world class therapeutic environment which will ensure the highest standards of care are provided."

Contractors for the Hospital are keen to work with the local community and are keen to employ people from the area during construction. More than 150 people will be working in Aspen Wood once it opens next autumn and during construction 250 operatives will be involved in the building work.

Prof Rafferty said:- "For anyone considering working in a secure setting, whether you are a learning disability Nurse, occupational therapist or any number of other roles, Mersey Care is the place to come. With stunning new facilities like this; our 3rd new build in as many years; you'd be based in perhaps the most advanced clinical environment in the country."

Go online to:- "Mersey Care jobs" to see opportunities in a range of services in Maghull and elsewhere and learn about how we support work life balance and offer opportunities to grow a career in care.

Increased funding for nursing in care homes

INCREASED funding for nursing in care homes will support tens of thousands of care home residents with nursing needs, including those with learning and physical disabilities, with an 11.5% increase in 2022 to 2023 and an estimated £87 million backdated for 2021 to 2022.

The standard weekly rate per person, provided for NHS funded nursing care, has increased by 11.5% from £187.60 to £209.19 for 2022 to 2023 and will be backdated to 1 April 2022.

In recognition of the additional time and work provided by Nurses in care homes during the Pandemic, a retrospective uplift on the 2021 to 2022 rate has also been applied providing an estimated additional £87 million to the sector.

The funding is paid by the NHS directly to care homes who employ registered Nurses. This allows care home residents with specific healthcare needs to benefit from direct nursing care and services.

Registered Nurses provide support to people with a variety of needs, including people with learning disabilities, those living with enduring physical or mental health needs and various conditions associated with old age. This type of nursing requires a range of skills and training, with the extra funding supporting this important role.

The additional funds will help cover the costs of nursing care and support the staff that provide it ensuring the vital service can continue to support the needs of residents and all those who rely on it.

Providing nursing care within care homes also helps reduce the pressure on Hospitals where the Government's record funding can be used to help clear the Covid backlog.

Minister for Care Gillian Keegan said:- "Our brilliant adult social care Nurses work tirelessly to support people living with a variety of health needs. Increasing the weekly rate and the retrospective uplift reflects the cost of this vital work which is carried by our valued and skilled workforce to help those who need it. It is right we continue to review the cost of this care to ensure Nurses can continue providing excellent care and support the needs of their residents."

The rates are based on new research conducted by the Department of Health and Social Care in 2021 through a cost collection survey which was sent to nursing home providers.

Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care Deborah Sturdy said:- "Nurses across social care play an essential role in delivering high-quality, complex care to those who require the skills and expertise of registered Nurses. This funding is vital to supporting their role in planning and providing care."

The retrospective Covid uplift provides additional payments of £21.93 per resident per week for 2021 to 2022.

Before 2007, there were 3 rates for NHS funded nursing care based on need. After 2007, a single rate was introduced with the higher rate remaining for those who were already on this rate before 2007.

For those on the higher band the retrospective increase for 2021 to 2022 will mean an extra £30.17 per resident per week. The higher band rate for 2022-23, with the increase, will be £287.78 per week.

This is another example of a period of unprecedented investment and improvements across adult social care. The £5.4 billion from the Health and Social Care Levy over the next 3 years includes £1.4 billion to ensure local authorities pay a fairer rate for care and £500 million to develop the wider care workforce.

From October 2023 people who draw on care and support will no longer face unpredictable care costs thanks to the Government's charging reform with 5 trailblazing local authorities turning charging reform on early so we can learn lessons and ensure a smooth national transition to the new system.

Together with the white papers on reform and integration the Government is fulfilling its promise to do what is necessary to develop world leading care.