‘Wonderful’ new home secures future of respite service

A crucial learning disability respite service that faced years of uncertainty has secured its future with a move to ‘wonderful’ new premises in Middlesbrough.

Around 70 families and carers who look after loved ones with often complex learning disabilities will continue to access respite services following an agreement between the NHS and Middlesbrough Council to move the service to Levick Court in the town.

The service was previously delivered at two NHS buildings: Aysgarth in Stockton and Bankfields in Middlesbrough, but could no longer be safely delivered from those buildings due to their age, the cost of repairs and to ensure compliance with Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulations.

Partners from the NHS North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB), Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust and Middlesbrough Council have worked together with parents, families and carers to design the new service and identify the new premises at Levick Court.

The building was built in 2012 and has a 16-bed respite unit for adults alongside 20 apartments for older people and was seen as an ideal home for the learning disability respite service. 

Families and carers celebrated the move to Levick Court at an opening event on Friday, March 6. 

Judith Brown, who cares for her 47-year-old daughter at home and represents families that the services support, said: “This is the best news we’ve had in eight years, and we now have hope ahead.

“Nursing care will be delivered by the NHS who have the expertise to deliver it, with a great partner in Middlesbrough Council and wonderful premises at Levick Court.

“We have fought for this because there is nothing else that provides this level of care for patients with such high need and high levels of risk to give their families and loved ones the breaks they need.”

Martin Short, director of delivery at the ICB, said: “The move to Levick Court is testament to the hard work and dedication of all our partners and the passion and commitment of the parent/carer group who have contributed so much to ensure that the service meets the needs of their loved ones and is provided in fantastic, modern facilities.”

Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke, who attended the launch event, said: “This new partnership has secured the future of a service that means so much to adults with learning disabilities and their families.

“Respite care of the highest quality promotes independence, reduces reliance on long-term or permanent care placements and helps to maintain family relationships.

“The families have been central to the development of the new model, ensuring Levick Court will be able to meet the needs of all those it supports for many years to come.”

Lisa Taylor, care group director for operations and transformation at TEWV, said: “The families have been such an important part of the future plans for their loved ones’ care and we’re so pleased that our teams will continue to be part of that. 

“We will work closely with Middlesbrough Council to support respite services, making sure those who access them and their carers are at the very centre of how care is delivered.”