A new nursing and care home, Penyberth, in Llŷn will put Gwynedd on the map, as a new nursing home is developed in partnership with a Welsh local authority and the local Health Board.
Breaking new ground, the site will accommodate people with dementia within the county, in partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr University. An additional element within the development, in partnership with Clwyd Alun Social Housing includes new houses for residents offering care for life.
There will be 32 dementia residential beds at the development and 25 nursing beds, with 15 of those being prioritised for dementia care and support.
Currently a number of Gwynedd residents with dementia and needing nursing care receive support from outside the county, which means people are having to move from their communities and friends, putting additional pressure on family members and loved ones keen to visit.
Gwynedd cabinet member for care, Councillor Dilwyn Morgan said: “I’m delighted that this vision from us as Plaid Cymru Gwynedd representatives is moving forward. With the political will, we can achieve so much for our most vulnerable residents.
“The Cabinet has agreed that we can prepare a strategic level business case, to assess Cyngor Gwynedd’s capabilities to work with the Health Board, in order to run a residential care and nursing home on the Penyberth Site. I look forward to working with Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, Clwyd Alun Social Housing, Welsh Government and the community to deliver this revolutionary project.”
The original Penrhos Care Home, run by the local Polish community, closed on site in 2020 due to a reduction in the number of residents and the need to invest in, and improve the dated facilities.
The provision of nursing local people is currently being provided solely by the independent private sector. By investing in provision provided by local government and the health board it rectifies the balance and reduces the risk that can occur within the care and nursing sector of being unable to provide care for residents in rural areas. This policy is in line with the Welsh Government’s white paper dealing with rebalancing the care and support sector showing the benefits of a balanced care market.
The Council’s strategic case is applying for £14.6m from the Welsh Government’s Regional Integration Fund for Social Health and Care to build the Nursing and Care Home. Once built, it will be managed by Cyngor Gwynedd and Betsi Cadwaladr University through current financial revenue streams.
Plaid Cymru Gwynedd Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn: “I look forward immensely to see this development progress. We have been discussing the site for some years and seeing movement in our plans is great news.
“The development will support not only the residents of Llŷn ac Eifionydd, but also the residents of Meirionnydd who need dementia care.”
Councillor Dafydd Meurig of Arllechwedd said: “What we are doing in Llanbedrog is revolutionary. Traditionally it has been the private sector that has been providing all nursing homes within the county and this has made me feel quite uncomfortable, at times, as we have put all of our eggs in one basket.
“As the former cabinet member in this sector, there have been anxious times that things could go wrong with private care providers, which, as a council, would leave us without control. Where would this leave our residents who need nursing services?
“We know that ensuring these services in rural areas has been much more challenging than in towns and cities. I am, therefore, immensely proud of this approach and the development planned for the Penyberth site.”
It is envisaged that the planning application can begin by the end of the summer.
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