The pioneering care organisation behind plans for a dementia centre in Caernarfon has pledged to provide “world class” care through the medium of Welsh.
The commitment was made at a meeting to brief councillors about Pendine Park’s vision for the new centre on the site of the former community hospital, Ysbyty Bryn Seiont.
If councillors give the green light when the planning application is considered on November 28, the £5 million project will create 100 much-needed new jobs in the town.
Local people were also invited to see the plans at a drop in session at the Galeri.
Canolfan Gofal Bryn Seiont will be modelled on the company’s an award-winning centre of excellence in Wrexham.
Bodlondeb was described as “wonderful place” when it was officially opened by First Minister Carwyn Jones.
Pendine Park has worked with Professor Bob Woods, one of the UK’s foremost dementia experts, in drawing up the plans for Canolfan Gofal Bryn Seiont.
Within 20 years, it’s expected there will be a 55 per cent increase in the number of people suffering from dementia.
According to proprietor Mario Kreft, ensuring that people are looked after through the medium of their mother tongue is central to the notion of providing “world class services”.
Mr Kreft said: “I think today has really gone a long way to alleviating any concerns anybody had, and I think it’s been a very positive day.”
“We want to provide a world class dementia service so it stands to reason that you’ve got to provide a service that people can communicate in.
“We’re trying to look at the gaps in services. In particular we’re looking at high level need high level dependency which would almost certainly require nursing care over a 24 hour period.
“We’re also looking at respite services day care services, and I’d very much like to develop an outreach service into the community using Bryn Seiont as the hub.”
“All the statistics point to dementia being something of a tidal wave. As well as creating the necessary extra capacity, our mission is to provide care that enhances people’s quality of life, treating them with dignity and respect.
“We’re going to work with others in partnership with the local authority, the local health board and other voluntary groups, and indeed other private providers.
“We want to try and ensure that we’ve got a seamless service, that people don’t fall through the net in between services.
“By working with other excellent services that exist in Gwynedd we should be able to really try to make a serious attempt to combat this increasing need that we face.
“My wife, Gill, and I are passionate about small and medium enterprises. We’re also passionate about Wales, and making Wales a sustainable place.
“We’re from Wales, we do business in Wales and if that can be extended to the local community here in Gwynedd then that’s what we will do.”
Among the local councillors and other stakeholders who attended a special briefing was Cllr Huw Edwards.
He said: “I was encouraged to by what I heard. We are aware by now that dementia is on the increase and we need to make this provision and the Welsh language needs to be made a priority in this context.”
According to Cllr Ioan Thomas, the Mayor of Caernarfon, he was also satisfied by the answers he’d received to questions about the Welsh language.
He said: “”Our main concern was that this would be competition to the existing homes and that has been answered because the of huge increase there is going to be in dementia in the coming years.”
There was also a steady stream of local people who came to see and hear more about the proposals.
Among them were Barry and Brenda Sidebottom who live right next to the Bryn Seiont site.
Mr Sidebottom said: “It certainly looks like it’ll be an improvement to the area rather than a detriment.”
Mrs Sidebottom added: “We’ve seen the pictures of what’s it’s going to be like and it looks beautiful, so we wish them all the best.”
Ex-bank official Irfon Roberts, who also lives in Caernarfon, was equally impressed.
He said: “There is a big welcome for 100 new jobs in Caernarfon. Everywhere is so depressed economically, it will be great to have more work here.”
