Minister opens community care facility

John Reid officially opened Marlborough House yesterday, which began operating in July last year, and joked with patients and residents as he marvelled at the incredible success the joint venture has achieved.

And he confirmed the outstanding success of the community home in Warrior Square has made Hastings and St Leonards a prime example nationwide of how personalised care should and can be provided.

He said: "The facility is built around the needs of the residents and why shouldn't it be. Why shouldn't women be able to choose a midwife-led birth rather than a consultant-led birth? If someone has had a routine prescription for 20 years why can't they just get a repeat prescription from the chemist? And why does a doctor tell you when a specialist can see you? Personalised care of this kind is the way forward."

The residential community, the first of its kind in East Sussex, incorporates 36 one bedroom flats, four two bedroom flats, three communal lounges, two doctors surgeries and a pharmacy.

It also has a cafe and dining room, library, activities room, salon and treatment room, roof terrace, scooter store, care and support service and a community link worker.

It was a joint venture by the CDHA, the Hastings and St Leonards PCT, social services at the county council and the borough council.

The Minister then went on to talk about particular health problems in the town, particularly childhood obesity, associated with deprived areas, and heart disease and cancer related deaths.

He said: "Premature deaths from cancer have already been brought down by 10 per cent and a staggering 23 per cent for heart disease related deaths.

"There has never been a reduction like that anywhere in the world. These reductions will continue because there is still a long way to go. There will be more doctors, nurses, equipment and buildings. I have been delighted to be here and thanks to Michael Foster for telling me of the problems and successes in Hastings and getting me down here."