A new 'supported' housing facility for elderly care in the Downpatrick area will help to fill the gap left when the existing St John's residential care home closes down.

NI Health Minister Michael McGimpsey has announced his plans for the future of care facilities for elderly people in the area.

He said that, following discussions with local representatives and the South Eastern Trust, the Minister has decided that St John's should close, but only once a new supported housing complex is completed in 2010.

The new development will be undertaken by the South Eastern Trust in partnership with Trinity Housing and will provide 24 supported housing units.

This will include 12 two-bedroom units for frail elderly people and people with mild dementia and 12 units for people with moderate to severe dementia.

Until the new complex opens, the ground floor of St John's will remain open to accommodate the current residents and as an intermediate care facility.

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The Minister has ordered that current services will be maintained at St John’s.

He explained that St John's will be replaced by a new more modern, better designed facility, which will provide supported living accommodation for up to 30 people.

The new complex will be built on the site of the current Appletree children's home.

The Minister said: "The well-being of older people in the Downpatrick area has been uppermost in my mind in considering the future of St John's House. Having given detailed consideration to the representations I have received from all sides, I have decided to approve the South Eastern Trust’s proposal to close St John's, but with the firm condition that services be maintained there for the existing two residents and for intermediate care until such times as the new facility is available.

"I have already seen the encouraging plans for a modern supported housing scheme on the site of the old Appletree Children's Home, and I believe that this is where the future lies in terms of supporting older people to live safely, independently and with dignity.

"The Trust's proposals offer support in terms of domiciliary care, day care, and intermediate care, to a far greater number of people in the Downpatrick area, to support them to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible, and I welcome that.

"Importantly, their proposals also envisage supported living accommodation for 20-30 people who need that level of support. I am confident that these proposals represent the best possible outcome for the people of Downpatrick," he said.

(BMcC)