An intermediate care centre, that helps people return to independent living after being discharged from hospital, has been formally opened.

Clashieknowe, located in Bridge of Don, offers specialist temporary accommodation which helps aid the recovery of residents through a variety of social care therapies, support and activities.

Run by Bon Accord Care, the facility has support from NHS Grampian. It will provide 24-hour on-site care for adults aged 18 and over who stay for between six to 12 weeks.

The new centre replaces the services provided at Smithfield Court, which was returned to mainstream housing as part of Aberdeen Council's sheltered housing review.

Work on the £710,000 project was completed in November 2013, with the centre becoming operational last month. It was jointly funded by the Council's Housing and Environment and Social Care, Wellbeing and Safety directorates, and included an extensive external refurbishment and upgrading, the installation of a fire suppressant system, refurbishment of accommodation with new kitchens and bathrooms with level access showers and accessible laundry facilities. Infrastructure to support assistive technology systems was also installed.


As a result, it now boasts 12 modern bedsit flats and six one-bedroom wheelchair accessible flats, while a larger two-bedroom, self-contained flat allows a family to remain together when a relative is receiving palliative, end of life care and is unable to return home.

The common areas are designed to promote social interaction and a training kitchen allows residents to learn or relearn culinary skills.

Aberdeen City Council's Director of Social Care and Wellbeing Liz Taylor said: "The intermediate care project is a real success story and when it operated from Smithfield Court a very high percentage of residents returned home, the majority with reduced or no care at home needs.

"However, Smithfield Court did not lend itself to certain needs of individuals and families and an alternative solution was needed to provide a more modern service.

"Clashieknowe has filled that gap in spades, offering 24-hour professional care in specialist accommodation designed to be homely and welcoming for residents and their families."

Social Care, Wellbeing and Safety Convener Councillor Len Ironside added: "I have been very impressed with the speed at which Clashieknowe has been transformed from bedsits that were not fit for purpose to specialist accommodation providing vital rehabilitation services in contemporary surroundings.

Housing and Environment Convener Councillor Neil Cooney added: "Clashieknowe ticks all the boxes. The building is in a better location, situated close to local amenities including a doctor's surgery, dentist, chemist, local shops and public transport links to the city centre.

"The accommodation and communal facilities have been refurbished to a very high standard and the service provided is far more flexible than before with the potential to develop it further.

"Residents and their loved ones can be assured that high quality care and support will be provided at Clashieknowe so as to prepare individuals for a more permanent housing solution."

(JP)