£3.8m Housing Scheme Opens

A new £3.8m housing scheme for frail, elderly people with dementia has been opened in Downpatrick, County Down.

Health Minister Edwin Poots and Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland today jointly opened the Cedar Court scheme today.

The development has been built in partnership between South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust, Trinity Housing Association and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Speaking at the opening, Minister Poots said: "In Northern Ireland we have the fastest growing elderly population in the UK. Demographic changes have a very specific impact on demand for Health and Social Care services. As outlined in Transforming Your Care, our goal must be to ensure that older people are given every chance to live their lives to the full and as independently as possible.

Cedar Court has been designed to allow residents to live independently in their own apartments comprising a living room, kitchen, one or two bedrooms, and bathroom.

Minister McCausland said: "This is a magnificent scheme that has been designed with the needs of the residents clearly foremost in the decision making process. It is a good example of what can be achieved when two departments and other stakeholders work together to make independent living in the community a reality."

Ian Kirkpatrick, Chairman of Trinity said: "Trinity Housing is extremely proud of Cedar Court, a housing scheme which delivers on many levels. This development incorporates all the key requirements for the residents while positively impacting the locality. Cedar Court is a shining example of how service users can benefit from collaborative working, and we are delighted with the outcome that this partnership between Trinity Housing, the Trust and the Departments have produced."

(IT/CD)