Now open – our new Choices for Living Well facility at Killelea House

The new Killelea House Intermediate Care Facility in Bury is now officially open following a £2.1 million refurbishment.

Councillor Dorothy Gunther, the Mayor of Bury, cut the ceremonial ribbon and members of the public were invited to see how Killelea has been transformed.

The renovation and extension of Killelea House will help people coming out of hospital to re-engage with their communities. It will also help those who need a period of rehabilitation to continue living in their own homes and prevent any further hospital admissions.

The centre provides therapy and treatment for adults following an illness or injury who need rehabilitation. The team, which includes wellbeing managers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers and wellbeing practitioners, helps those who no longer need to be in hospital but are not physically ready to go home.

At the heart of the re-vamped building will be a fully equipped therapy hub where the focus will be on helping people to regain the confidence and skills they need to manage everyday living tasks and engage in their communities when they return home.

Four rehabilitation flats have been created as a ‘halfway home’ option so people can ‘test’ out their abilities in the unit before going home. Updated equipment and assistive technology will be used to reduce the length of stay and familiarise people with any kit before they need to make use of it at home. This is promoting a service of independence and wellness for the people of Bury.

A bistro café, hairdresser’s and a small shop, which will be opening over the coming months, will also encourage social interaction, boost local employment and provide income generation opportunities.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This is a fantastic scheme to meet the demands of a growing elderly population who will rely more and more on intermediate care services.

"The new Killelea will provide care and support for vulnerable people with the emphasis on increasing people’s independence to live on their own for longer.

"These new facilities will provide up-to-date approaches to reablement, focusing on independence and reducing the likelihood of people being re-admitted to hospital or going into a residential home.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 14 February 2018.

Picture: At the official re-opening of Killelea House are (from left) Julie Gonda, interim executive director of communities and wellbeing; Cllr Andrea Simpson; Cllr Rishi Shori, leader of the council; Cllr Dorothy Gunther, the Mayor of Bury; Mr Michael Gunther, the mayor’s consort; Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, interim council chief executive; and Dill Hawley, business manager (adult operations).