A NEW centre of excellence aimed at meeting the needs of dementia sufferers is being planned in Chirk.

Chirk Court is currently a residential care home managed by Clwyd Alyn Housing Association in partnership with Wrexham Council.

Under new proposals, Clwyd Alyn, which is part of the Pennaf Housing Group, will transform Chirk Court from a traditional residential care home service, currently registered for 35 people, into a more specialised service for 50 people who have a range of dementia care needs and require residential or nursing care.

The change will lead to extra jobs being created for care practitioners and qualified
nurses, according to Pennaf.

Staff, residents and their families have been fully consulted about the proposals and a formal planning application has now been submitted to the council.

Subject to successful planning approval, the transformation would take place in a number of phases to avoid disruption to current residents.

Kevin Hughes, director of care and support services for the Pennaf Housing Group, said there were currently 22 residents at Chirk Court as well as several clients receiving respite care.

He added: “The plans will help to extend the range of service we will be able to offer to residents in the future, should they require more complex support and it also will enable us to respond positively to the local authority who have identified an increased need for dementia care provision in the future.

“We have been working closely with the current residents and their families to make sure that any disruption during the building is kept to an absolute minimum.”

Mr Hughes said that while the plans would include a new extension block, the finished area would be fully landscaped with pleasant garden areas for the residents.