RICHMOND MP Rishi Sunak has praised the facilities and standard of care at a new elderly people’s home in his constituency.
Mr Sunak visited Kirkwood Hall in Leyburn to meet residents and speak to staff at the £8m development which opened last year.
The Hall is an extra-care facility designed to bridge the gap between completely independent living and a conventional residential care home.
Broadacres, in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council, Richmondshire District Council, and the Homes and Communities Agency, has built 53 homes, including seven two-bedroom bungalows, 26 two-bedroom apartments and 20 one-bedroom specialist apartments for people with complex needs
Mr Sunak was shown round the development by its manager Michelle Mottershead.
He said: “This is really splendid, high-quality, facility which represents a big step forward in the way we look after people as they grow older in the appropriate setting for their age and capability.
“It was particularly pleasing to see Kirkwood Hall is very much part of the wider Leyburn community.”
Andy Powell, Broadacres’ Customer Services Director, said: “We are pleased Mr Sunak was able to visit Kirkwood Hall and see for himself the importance of extra care schemes like this.
“Extra care enables people to live independently in their own home and to be part of their local communities for longer, but with the comfort of knowing support is there if they need it in the future.”
The scheme was given the name Kirkwood Hall to reflect the historic significance of the site.
During construction the ruins of an Anglo-Saxon chapel were unearthed, along with the remains of three people who had been buried there. The remains have since been reburied on the site following a special ceremony conducted by the local vicar.