A new assessment and treatment centre for people with learning disabilities in Norfolk was officially opened by the Bishop of Norwich last week.
The £5.3 million state-of-the-art unit, Astley Court, which can cater for up to 12 people, is based at Little Plumstead Hospital, near Norwich, and run by Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT).
The en-suite bedrooms allow service users privacy and dignity during their stay. They will stay at the unit for 3-4 months for assessment before returning to the community, supported by a tailored package of care delivered either in their homes, in supported living environments or in residential care.
Bishop of Norwich, the right reverend Graham James, said: “Astley Court shows the measure of a society in how it truly cares for its most vulnerable members; it is a fantastic building not only for the staff but for all the service users, their families and those involved in the assessment process.”
Owen Fry, HPFT service line lead, added: “At Astley House, every person has their stay built around their needs and wishes, with a wide choice of activities for people to participate in. Our priority is to enable people to have choice and control over where and how they live and to support them to feel part of local life. I was particularly pleased to welcome families and service users to celebrate the opening.”
The first service users will move into Astley Court on July 22.
