A REPORTED £750,000 will be spent on upgrading Hampshire County Council’s care homes.

Approving the investment, Liz Fairhurst, the county council’s executive member for adult social care and health, confirmed the money would be used to modernise kitchenettes, bathrooms and main kitchens in 13 council-owned residential and nursing homes for older people, as well as two of its day service buildings used by adults with disabilities.

Among them will be the Park View Learning Disability Day Centre in Alton, which will benefit from a £200,000 bathroom project, and Marlfield residential and nursing home on Gilbert White’s Way, also in Alton, which will see a £550,000 investment in a main kitchen (£250,000) and kitchenette (£300,000) refurbishment.

Mrs Fairhurst said: “Unlike many other local authorities, Hampshire continues to own and run its own network of homes for older people, alongside accommodation for people with learning disabilities. We believe this is essential in helping to maintain good quality support for the most vulnerable.

“Ensuring our kitchen and bathroom spaces are equipped to the highest of modern standards is really important both to our residents, as well as our staff, enabling us to effectively support the widest range of needs.”

Work is expected to start in September and be completed by April 2019. All buildings will remain fully operational during the refit.