Pioneering new dementia hub to open in Rochdale

Dr Chris Duffy, from the NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group

A centre that aims to provide the UK’s leading care and support for people living with dementia and their families will open next month. 

The Willows Dementia Hub will bring together health and social care to provide pioneering integrated care and support for those living with dementia. 

Dementia is a growing problem in the UK, with 1 in 3 people born this year developing dementia in their lifetime. There are estimated to be around 2,000 people living with dementia in the borough of Rochdale. 

Located at Springhill Resource Centre, the service has been jointly commissioned by Rochdale Borough Council and NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to further strengthen the services available for people across the borough living with dementia. 

The Willows has been refurbished and transformed into a high-quality community hub providing dedicated care and support to the growing number of people living with dementia. It has been designed using Stirling University’s ‘Standards for Dementia Design’, to provide a range of care, including for people with learning disabilities, in a high-quality, welcoming and dementia-friendly environment. 

Facilities at the centre include 18 high-quality residential rooms, respite accommodation, family rooms for relatives, and a range of complementary community services. A range of high quality day services will also be provided during the week. 

The hub will be run by Rochdale-based company GP Care Services Ltd, who worked with Rochdale Borough Council and the CCG to provide advice and expertise around dementia-friendly design. 

Dr Chris Duffy, from NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “This centre is another key part of our innovative approach to providing services in the community that are tailored to people’s individual needs and which address the key health issues affecting the wider community.” 

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed, cabinet member for adult care at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “This is a fantastic new facility that will ensure people over the age of 18 who are living with dementia across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale can access some of the best possible care. We are proud to have commissioned what will be one of the UK’s leading centres to deliver dementia services.” 

Gail Whitehead, chief officer at GP Care Services Ltd, said: “We want The Willows to be an active part of the community and we welcome the involvement of local residents both as visitors to our café, and as volunteers in our work with those who are living with dementia. We’re currently exploring ways in which we can work with local colleges and schools to provide learning opportunities for those studying health and social care.”