The Priory Group, the UK’s leading independent provider of mental healthcare, has opened the doors to its first care home for older people in Leeds.
Atkinson Court in Leeds was officially opened by former Leeds United and Scotland star Peter Lorimer.
Residents, staff and local dignitaries gathered to celebrate the event at a special luncheon held at the home on Ings Road.
The opening of the purpose built Atkinson Court, which has beds for 75 residents needing nursing or dementia nursing care, has created many jobs for the local area and is part of the first phase of the company’s plans for rapid expansion within the older people care sector.
The home provides nursing and dementia services in single, en-suite accommodation finished to the highest standard. There is also a choice of lounges and dining areas and an enclosed landscaped garden.
The home’s dementia floor utilises the very latest research in dementia care focussing on a person’s abilities. Dementia-signposting assists with orientation and a reminiscence room will be available.
All residents have access to carefully planned activities and a wide range of professionals including a hairdresser, chiropodist, optician and GP.
Sharon Butler, Managing Director of Priory Group Care Homes Division said: “The experience the Priory Group has in mental health, complex and long term care transfers very well into older people’s services. People are now living longer and have more complex needs and associated health issues that we have the experience to care for.
“Atkinson Court has been well received by healthcare professionals, particularly in light of the dementia services it provides for the local community in Leeds.
“We were delighted to welcome Peter Lorimer who is a footballing legend in Leeds and very kindly gave up his time to perform the official opening of the home.”
Philip Scott, Chief Executive of The Priory Group who also attended the event, said: “The ageing population means there is increasingly a need for high quality care homes. This has presented a perfect opportunity for The Priory. With the opening of the first care homes in the Priory portfolio we are building on our already strong and established areas of expertise and offering an even more comprehensive range of facilities for service users.”
The Priory Group plans to rapidly increase its portfolio of care homes for older people with further new builds in England and Northern Ireland.
The Priory Group is Europe's leading independent provider of acute mental health services, secure and step-down services, specialist education, complex care and neuro-rehabilitation services, working in partnership with the public and independent sectors.
Priory's acute psychiatric hospitals offer a comprehensive range of successful, evidence-based inpatient, outpatient and day patient treatment programmes and therapy services for a wide variety of mental health issues, including depression, addictions, eating disorders and child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS).
Priory Secure Services is a specialist provider of secure mental health services working in partnership with the NHS.
Priory's complex care hospitals and neuro-rehabilitation centres treat people with enduring mental and physical illnesses, restricted mobility and challenging behaviours that are often the result of organic, degenerative or neurological problems and whose needs cannot be met in conventional environments. Priory's neuro-rehabilitation centres care for people with a wide range of acquired or progressive neurological disorders, including brain injuries and illness, spinal injuries, brain haemorrhages and stroke.
Priory Education Services is the UK's leading independent provider of specialist education and care for children and young people aged four to 35 with Asperger's Syndrome (AS), autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), behavioural, emotional and social difficulties (BESD) and specific learning difficulties associated with dyslexia.
The Priory Group is developing a range of high quality care homes offering long-term, short-term and respite nursing care for older people who are physically frail or suffering with dementia related disorders.