Plans to create a special “care village” in Peterhead, including a 60-bed care home and eight supported accommodation units, have taken a step forward in Aberdeenshire.
Members of the Integration Joint Board met yesterday to discuss the latest proposals for the project, which is the third of its kind following the opening of Edenholme in Stonehaven and Bennachie View in Inverurie.
Included in a new report are plans for a care home, clinical space, areas for community use, and capacity for learning disability services.
The board agreed to progress with a full list of recommendations, which includes relocating the inpatient service at Ugie Hospital to the Summers Ward at Peterhead Community Hospital.
Councillor Anne Stirling, the vice-chairwoman of the IJB, described the outcome as: “A great news story for Peterhead.
“A brand-new care village with provision for a modern 60-bed care home, flexible hub space for community and clinical use as well as supported living flats will have a huge benefit to the whole of the Blue Toon and the wider community.”
Rhona Atkinson, chairwoman of the board, added: “This paper represents a significant investment in health and social care infrastructure and services in Peterhead.
“Moving the inpatient service delivered from Ugie to Peterhead Community Hospital will ensure that we can continue to deliver the high-quality service that we currently do, but from a more modern base and without us splitting our precious staff resource across two sites.
“The board have also asked that officers undertake engagement with patients, service users, staff and the public prior to coming back to us with an update in the near future.”