Recruitment drive announced for Harrogate dementia facility Vida Hall

NHS partnership Vida Healthcare has announced a recruitment drive for a new residential care home currently being constructed in Harrogate, aiming to build up a team of 70 healthcare professionals by February to deliver a specialist service and support a rewarding lifestyle for adults diagnosed with dementia.

Vida Hall artist's impression

The provider is recruiting for specialist nursing positions, together with a number of support and ancillary roles, including kitchen and housekeeping positions, with the 70-bed facility offering long-term residential care for adults with dementia and also providing a respite care service.

Healthcare director Bernadette Mossman spoke of the Vida Hall vision for dementia care, made possible by a £5m investment, saying: “As an independent, privately-owned company, Vida Healthcare has a very entrepreneurial approach, which will be reflected in all aspects of this exciting new facility.

Launching recruitment drive - James Rycroft and Bernadette Mossman of Vida Healthcare

“We are already working with some of the leading experts in dementia care, both in this country and internationally and can promise a truly innovative, supportive and rewarding environment for anyone working in this field.

“For example, training will play a key role in staff support and development and we will shortly be able to announce details of a tie-up with one of the UK’s leading clinical psychologists to deliver a bespoke training package which will be a first for a new UK care home.

“We aim to create a wonderful place for people living with dementia and are looking for a skill mix from our staff that goes above and beyond the levels of care offered in traditional homes, with activities and an environment that creates the right balance between stimulation and support for every resident. We want to challenge current practices and demonstrate that there are better alternatives than the recent trend for over-prescribing antipsychotic medication.”