THE future of a specialist dementia care home in Winchester is uncertain as a charity reviews its operations amid the coronavirus pandemic. St John s Winchester says it is undertaking an operational review with a decision set to be made on Moorside on April 27. Moorside is on Durngate and opened as a specialist dementia care home some 25 years ago. In a statement released to the
Chronicle last night, the charity, which operates a number of almshouses with 150 residents in the city centre, said closure was being considered. The statement said: In response to rumours in circulation that its St John’s Moorside care home may close, St John’s Winchester announces that the charity is carrying out a review of its strategy and operations in light of the financial and other impacts of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, including its care home providing nursing care to those living with dementia.
Contractors began preparatory works at St John s Colebrook Street site on March 1. This development will see 15 new almshouses connected directly to the existing community to enable more elderly people to live independently for longer. Residents will benefit from a state-of-the-art block of apartments. The homes will be adaptable to the individual needs of the resident. St John’s chair of trustees, Roger Bright, said: “We are at an exciting stage of the charity’s development. We have much work to do and are considering plans to expand further the accommodation and community support we offer. We are delighted to be working with talented architects and contractors to expand housing opportunities for older people in the city.”