Care facility revamped

A celebration was staged to mark the official reopening of Primrose Lodge in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, which has gone back into use after a recent transformation.

The consensus of first day visitors was highly positive following completion of the refurbishment project.

Dozens of guests were among the first to view the modifications made by the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Trust, which provides mental health care to people across a diverse area, taking in a large area of County Durham.

The improvements were made possible through the Enhancing the Healing Environment (EHE) programme of the King's Fund.

Set up in 1897, the fund, a charitable foundation, is celebrating its centenary in its latest guise.

Its EHE programme is aimed at improving the care environment for users and providers alike.

Sarah Waller, the King's Fund EHE programme director, said: "The work that has taken place at Primrose Lodge is fantastic.

"It shows a real dedication from staff and service-users alike.

"They have worked as a team, producing amazing results and a beautiful healing environment."

Improvements at Primrose Lodge have included a widespread refurbishment of common-room facilities for service users.

Alongside, a decking area has been developed with a conservatory, where service-users and carers alike can relax and enjoy the views of the renovated garden.

During the official reopening guests were able to wander round the new facilities and view a DVD showing how the lodge looked before the refurbishment.

Trust chairman Jo Turnbull, unveiled a commemorative plaque and thanked all those involved in the project.

She said: "I'm overjoyed at the work that has taken place here and the improvements really are nothing short of amazing.

"This shows what can be achieved as a team through dedication and is a real landmark for the trust".

* The trust was formed in April 2006 to provide mental health services for the people of County Durham, Tees Valley and North- East Yorkshire.