New Care resubmits planning for Wilmslow facility

New Care has resubmitted a previously refused planning application for a 60-bed care facility on Handforth Road, Wilmslow.

The application was refused planning permission in January 2020 by Cheshire East’s Northern Planning Committee after being deferred in December 2019 following a 4:4 vote with the Chair abstaining to vote.  Despite having a strong recommendation for approval by Cheshire East Planning Authority, the application was refused for the second time and is currently also in the appeal system.

In the light of the current strain on the NHS being shown by the coronavirus outbreak, New Care hope the council will reconsider their decision.

Cath Fairhurst, Chief Operating Officer at New Care commented:

“Covid-19 has put massive immediate pressure on the NHS, however the current situation has also highlighted the ongoing huge shortfall of beds in hospitals, many of which are in use by stable patients who have been medically discharged but require rehabilitation before returning home.  There is quite simply nowhere for these patients to go, so they remain in hospital blocking beds.

“As a registered nurse and in all my years of experience working in the health sector, we are navigating our way through unprecedented times.  A fresh approach to the provision of care facilities and beds is needed now more than ever before.”

At New Care’s recently completed Bramhall Manor facility in Stockport, its 71 beds are being used to provide additional capacity to Stepping Hill Hospital for medically discharged patients who require rehabilitation before returning home, freeing up freeing up intensive care beds for Covid-19 patients.

Cath continued:

The contract with the NHS will not only assist with the current crisis, but when Coronavirus is under control there will undoubtedly be a need for more care home beds to deal with the longer-term implications of the more vulnerable patients.  Starting this week, Stepping Hill Hospital will facilitate the move of 71 patients, freeing up vital beds. 

“It is in light of this and our continued commitment to working with and helping the NHS that we want to deliver our proposed care facility on Handforth Road as soon as possible, which will not only offer targeted residential, nursing and dementia care services for Wilmslow and the surrounding areas, but will no doubt also provide allocated beds to the NHS to use to ease pressure within local hospitals.”