SOUTH West Surrey MP Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt dropped into newly-opened Oak Hall Nursing Home in Hindhead to meet the staff and residents.

The tenth and latest addition to the portfolio that Elizabeth Finn Homes operates across England is based at the former Wispers School, a grade II listed building designed in the Tudor Revival style by Richard Norman Shaw.

After previous residential home Orchard Care closed its 55 beds there in 2016, the new owner Elizabeth Finn commissioned a comprehensive refurbishment, with the new annexe merging seamlessly into the original landmark building.

Residents occupy the upper floor of Oak Hall as well as the annexe and share the club facilities with Wispers Retirement Village residents, who live in a separate development on 58 apartments in the grounds extending to 25 acres.

Oak Hall offers 51 rooms and a range of care options, from residential to full nursing care, also convalescence, respite and specialist palliative care. The team of nurses and carers is led by general manager Karen Williams, assisted by a clinical lead manager.

Karen said: “Residents enjoyed a coffee and a chat with our local MP a week after Oak Hall opened. Our first ten residents are already happily settled into their new home.

“The stunning house with such potential for communial spaces and attached to a country club with bar and restaurant, will add to the overall experience for residents.

“We are hoping to be very much part of the local community here.”

Chief executive officer of Elizabeth Finn Homes Richard Hawes, added: “I am delighted that Oak Hall has opened on time and on budget; it is a welcome new addition to our growing portfolio of care homes.

“Karen, who was the registered manager of the first nursing home in Surrey to receive an ‘Outstanding’ CQC rating, has brought her extensive experience of operating high-end care facilities to Oak Hall and we are delighted to see the first residents safely welcomed.

“I am also pleased that we have created new jobs in the area, and that we are able to source many of our supplies locally to ensure we contribute to community life.”