IT was an occasion for heartfelt thanks and celebration as staff, residents and invited guests converged on Marlfield for the official opening on Tuesday of a new state-of-the-art nursing home. Located at Gilbert White Way in Alton, the nursing home has been built to compliment the existing residential home which has undergone a refurbishment in line with the overall vision for a modern Marlfield complex. The nursing home is one of 10 to be built in Hampshire as part of a groundbreaking £60 million partnership between Hampshire County Council and the local NHS. The aim has been to provide 500 new nursing home beds as part of the ENHANCE (Extra Nursing Homes and Nursing Care Extensions) project, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the country. At Marlfield, it has resulted in a purpose-built unit that has 40 nursing and 34 residential beds. And while still receiving the finishing touches and yet to open its doors to full capacity, this light, bright and airy unit is already being claimed a resounding success. On Tuesday, deputy director of adult services John Clifton welcomed the guests of honour, Hampshire County Council chairman Patricia West and Alton Town Mayor Dave Crocker, before expressing thanks to all those who had helped develop such an outstanding building. "I know that Marlfield will offer vulnerable older people in the area the very best of nursing care in a warm and welcoming home. The future care needs of older people in Hampshire, who are no longer able to live with support in their own homes, will be able to be better managed through having more nursing home beds available, as well as reducing hospital waiting times by assisting people to move from hospital more readily," he said. While thanking the staff for their contribution towards what he described as a "tremendous achievement", Mr Clifton expressed thanks also to the residents for their patience in living through the disruption of development and refurbishment. The pleasure of unveiling the official plaque went to the county council's executive member for adult services Patricia Banks, who said: "This is a real celebration for us to be opening such a super place." Mrs Banks added thanks to Hampshire County Council and to the North Hampshire Primary Care Trust, social services and the strategic health authority for their part in the project and to the contractors, Balfour Beatty. Also to nursing home manager Anne Lewin, who had only been in post since June, to acting manager Nick Hobbs, to residential home manager Lyndsey Putt, and to acting manager of senior nurses Sharon Lamborne. A cake in mauve and white was duly cut by nursing home resident Flora Knight, with the help of Mrs West. Speaking after the ceremony, Marlfield's most senior resident, 102-year-old Elsie Brownjohn, and friend Dorothy Sinfield, 90, spoke of their joy at being in such a pleasant, warm and friendly environment. They were delighted with the rooms, with the company of friends, with the food which they described as "good, and lots of it", and with the staff. They are marvellous, worth their weight in gold," said Mrs Sinfield. Winifred Jones - the first resident to arrive in the new nursing home, had been released from hospital and was enjoying living just a stone's throw away from her daughter. Flora Knight, also recovering from hospital treatment, was planning to return home in the not-too-distant future. She will do so on a fortnight's trial basis to see whether she can manage. If not she knows she can return to Marlfield. "It is a very nice atmosphere here - everybody is so kind," said the local lady. During a tour around the nursing home, accompanied by manager Anne Lewin, it became apparent that the rooms were all equipped with the most up-to-date technology. Beds can be raised and angles altered to fit the needs of individual residents. The rooms are furnished but guests can bring some of their own furniture, and each has a spacious en suite bathroom. The bedrooms are organised in groups of eight, with each group decorated differently and bearing the name of a local village. Each group has its own lounge and bathroom, fully equipped with hoists and manoeuvrable baths and showers. Residents are encouraged to eat meals together, if possible, and there are two dining rooms overlooking a courtyard which boasts a sensory garden and several resident pet cats. According to Mrs Lewin, there are currently 42 nursing staff members on site but this number will increase as the Home is able to take in more residents. Marlfield would welcome community involvement. A group of ladies are already busy making knee blankets so residents can sit in the gardens in comfort and volunteers would be welcome to become involved in organising simple activities for residents, or simply to chat.
