A NEW care home has opened on the grounds at Christchurch Hospital as part of plans to transform the site into a ‘health hub’.

More than 80 guests, including the Mayor of Christchurch, Cllr Trish Jamieson, attended the opening of Fairmile Grange care home.

The first resident, Jack Wright, cut the ribbon to declare it open.

The 80-bed home, which provides specialist nursing and dementia care, was built following a partnership between the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Trust and developers Quantum.

The first of its kind in the UK, the joint venture was created to secure NHS services on the hospital site including a GP surgery, pharmacy, X-Ray department, and community clinics. Thirty-five senior living apartments have also been built as part of the multi-million pound project.

David Hines, chief executive of Quantum, delivered a speech at the opening of Fairmile Grange, thanking the management and board of RBCH NHS Foundation Trust, which set out five years ago to find a way to retain services at Christchurch Hospital for the community.

“This ground-breaking and successful initiative between the public sector and private enterprise is something that we can all be very proud to be part of.”

Richard Renaut, chief operating officer at RBCH NHS Foundation Trust, added: “The partnership helped us to conceive and deliver an innovative solution at half the cost we could have achieved by ourselves. Together, we have secured a healthy and sustainable future for Christchurch Hospital.”

To celebrate the opening of the care home, entertainment was provided by Latin ballroom dancers Carma Dance.

Residents joined in with the festivities and enjoyed a range of cuisine, with dishes prepared by head chef Alex Every and his team.

Soft jazz musicians, Sharp 9 Duo, provided soothing tones while guests met the care team, led by home manager Becky Robson, and took a tour of the new home.

Cllr Jamieson thanked the team for their hospitality, adding: “I was very pleased to be invited to cut the ribbon for the grand opening of the lovely home, Fairmile Grange. It certainly was a grand event and most enjoyable.”