Hundreds of visitors turned out to see Sanctuary Care’s state of the art Wantage Nursing Home in Oxfordshire as it opened the doors to the public for the first time last Friday afternoon (11th).
Nearly 400 people enjoyed a guided tour of the magnificent multi-million pound facility and had the opportunity to talk to experienced care staff about the new nursing home.
Hugo Brunner, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, unveiled a commemorative plaque and cut the ribbon to officially open the much-needed 50-bedroom site in Garston Lane, earlier that day.
The modern, purpose-built home - a partnership between the Wantage Care Charitable Trust and Sanctuary Care – offers a safe, comfortable and friendly environment for residents in need of nursing, intermediate and dementia care. It boasts large sensory gardens for dementia residents and houses a domiciliary resource base from which Sanctuary Home Care will support people in their own homes.
The project came to fruition thanks to the generosity and support of the charitable trust and local community, who raised the funds needed to purchase the land on which the home sits.
Local people will be given priority for places and over 60 jobs have been created.
Speaking at the official opening, on behalf of the trustees Thomas Loyd said: “This is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a community comes together and works for the common good with a quality service provider like Sanctuary”.
Fred Hucker, Chair of the Oxfordshire PCT, worked closely with the Trust and Sanctuary Care to help see the project through to completion: “I believe the partnership approach on this project has brought significant benefits and the community now has a home of which it can be very proud. I would encourage other primary Care Trusts to look towards developing similar links in their communities.”
Derek James, Chairman of Sanctuary Care, said: “I would like to thank the Wantage Care Charitable Trust, the Oxfordshire PCT and the community for the important contribution they made on this project. We are confident that our dedicated staff will provide the highest standard of care and give residents a home from home experience.”
Hugo Brunner, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, said "This is a wonderfully appointed home that works very well with its neighbouring hospital and in providing beds and work for people living nearby makes it a model undertaking for any community."
Ed Vaizey, MP for Wantage and Didcot, said: “This venture will be very beneficial to the Wantage and Grove constituents, providing a high level of nursing care for the elderly in the area. I congratulate all the parties involved!”
Councillor Lorraine Todd, Wantage Town Mayor said, “The provision of this impressive home will enable residents whose relatives are in need of care, to keep them within the community. Being local, this will make visiting their loved ones easier and reduce the cost and burden of travel.”
Other guests who attended the opening ceremony included local dignitaries, Sir Adrian Swire, former chairman of the Wantage Care Charitable Trust, Charles & Lady Katherine Farrell of the Watlington Hospital Charitable Trust.