Milton Grange, new mental health service opened in East Sussex

MILTON Grange, a new mental health service for older people, has been officially opened. The dedicated East Sussex County Council unit opened after a £1.6million refurbishment of the old Milton Court Resource Centre and offers short-term respite care and day services.

There are a range of services on offer including rehabilitation for older people whose mental health and physical frailties make it impractical for them to live in their own home for a short period.

The new centre has 37 en-suite bedrooms, with specialist facilities for older people with a primary health care need such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. Milton Grange will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the day services will make it available to more people.

Hot meals and drinks will be provided and special diets catered for.

Facilities include therapy rooms, kitchens, lounge areas, a café and hair salon as well as a range of daily social activities.

As part of this new service the council will work closely with health professionals in the NHS and local voluntary organisations.

Performing the officia opening ceremony last week was Councillor Rupert Simmons, the chairman of the county council, Bill Bentley, the Lead Member for Adult Social Care (ASC) and Keith Hinkley, Director of ASC.

Cllr Bentley said, “This is a marvellous state-of-the-art unit which will provide respite care and more flexible day services to some of the most vulnerable people in our community. It also means that carers will have a break from the demands placed on them.

The facilities and activities are first-class and it is a great honour to be involved in the official opening of Milton Grange.”