AROUND 140 staff at King’s Park and Alderney Hospitals are to be invited to apply for new jobs in a shake-up of services for older people with dementia.

But Dorset HealthCare Trust, which runs both of the community hospitals, says redundancies are unlikely as there will be more vacancies than employees.

James Barton, the trust’s director of mental health service, explained that the aim was to have all inpatient services at Alderney in Poole.

“The local NHS wants to invest a greater amount of resource into community services so there is an extended range of care closer to home for older people with dementia,” he said.

“Proposals for these community services would include earlier diagnosis and treatment; earlier access to information and support for carers; and a dedicated rapid response service to address urgent need at home.”

He added that the community services would still be supported by inpatient care and day services, but all the inpatient services would be moved to redeveloped, purpose-built, modern facilities at Alderney.

“As a result of these proposals, there will be changes to staff roles, with the creation of a new community team – the Intermediate Care Service for Dementia – which will provide intensive support to people with dementia in their own homes to prevent them needing to come into hospital.”

Mr Barton said that after a consultation period with staff, they would be asked to say which role they would like to apply for in the new service.

“The reason for this is because some of the roles are changing and everyone needs to be given the same opportunity to apply for a role appropriate for them.”

The trust says not everyone will be able to move into the exact same role they have at the moment. It also admitted it was “possible” but “unlikely” that some staff would be unsuccessful in securing a new job.

King’s Park Hospital in Boscombe will retain drug and alcohol and community services, but the trust will be reviewing the future use of the hospital after inpatient services have been moved.