The Cedar Court hotel at Ainley Top has been converted into the UK’s first Nightingale care home. This 113-bed care home was developed in three weeks by Calderdale Council after the government provided the council millions. Cedar Court is now registered with the Care Quality Commision and furloughed staff have been given training in infection control and the use of personal protective equipment. They will have the support of more than 20 specialist carers.
The care home aims to provide extra care to COVID-19 patients that have recovered but are still in need of nursing support before being moved into the community again. The first patients were admitted on Wednesday and council leader Tim Swift has explained how they have been working alongside primary care (Calderdale CCG) in prepartion.
He also said, “It’s been a brilliant piece of work by staff to get this opened in such a short period.
“It’s basically designed to provide care for people where their existing care has broken down for whatever reason and they will stay there for a short time.
“It is for people who have not got the virus and where you know there’s not a risk.
“People will be tested as they go in. I think it’s good. We now have another facility where we support people coming out of hospital. It gives us capacity if we need it though I don’t think we will be using the whole hotel.
We think this is a great idea and gives that extra bit of support needed after such a traumatic event. We are proud that the first Nightingale care home is in God’s own country. We are proud to see such community support.
