Extra Care facilities for every major town in North Yorkshire

A new care strategy for North Yorkshire is to prioritise new Extra Care developments, as announced by the county council.

Keen to support a vision of care provision that is blended with independent living methods, the council has launched ‘North Yorkshire’s Extra Care programme’ and is currently in the process of procuring a framework of partner organisations whose expertise will lead the process; from design, funding and building, through to management and operating.

County councillor Clare Wood explains, “The procurement process which begins today is the first step towards a major expansion of a system which has won widespread acclaim for the way in which it allows people to live independent, happy, and supported lives. We want to put Extra Care at the heart of our communities and to plan ahead for current and future generations.

“By 2020, the strategy will have seen the provision of many more apartments and bungalows right across North Yorkshire – making it possible for people to have the care and support they need, in the places where they want to live.”

The council believes that Extra Care best reflects what the general public say they want from their care services, in terms of being able to live independently and remain active in the local community, while further benefits of this modern form of care will include access to a wide range of additional facilities, such as restaurants, libraries and GP surgeries. Furthermore, the council is also keen to integrate innovative care technology like telecare, as well as to favour interior design methods that research has shown to be beneficial to adults with dementia.

Councillor Wood adds, “All our consultations have told us that Extra Care is what people really want. The procurement process beginning today brings that aspiration close to reality.”