North Yorkshire Council is calling on residents in Harrogate and Scarborough to have their say on a major multi-million-pound investment designed to transform care for older and disabled people.
The ambitious plan involves building up to five new specialist care and support hubs across the county. These “pioneering” facilities are intended to modernise dementia services and improve intermediate care, helping people rehabilitate after hospital stays and reducing the risk of being readmitted.
A two-week consultation is currently underway for the first two sites in Harrogate and Scarborough. If these move forward, they will eventually replace several existing council-run care homes that are currently operating out of older, less efficient buildings.
While the primary focus is on supporting older residents, the hubs will also be equipped to help working-age adults with similar specialist needs. Each building is set to include en-suite bedrooms, therapy areas, and accessible outdoor spaces to ensure a high standard of living and recovery.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, explained that the project is a response to rising costs and a growing demand for social care. He noted:
“We are facing significant challenges across North Yorkshire with rising demand and increasing costs in adult social care. These proposed new hubs will help us to continue to deliver the best standard of care and support at crucial moments in people’s lives, while also generating long-term savings for the council and taxpayers. We are excited about the positive, lasting impact that these hubs can have. I would encourage residents in Harrogate and Scarborough to look at the proposals and make the most of the consultation by sharing their feedback.”
The need for specialist facilities is becoming increasingly urgent. Data from the Alzheimer’s Society shows that over 9,000 people over the age of 65 were living with dementia in North Yorkshire in 2021, a figure expected to soar to over 15,000 by 2030.
Residents have until Monday, 6th April to share their views online. For those who prefer to speak with the project team in person, drop-in events are being held this week. The Harrogate event takes place today, Monday 23rd March, at Bilton Club on Skipton Road from 3pm to 6pm. The Scarborough event follows on Wednesday, 25th March at Legacy Studio Community Centre from 1pm to 5pm.
Full details of the proposals can be found on the North Yorkshire Council website.
