Official opening of Airdrie day centre for elderly

THE Harry Walker Day Centre in Airdrie was officially opened recently by North Lanarkshire Depute Provost Jim Robertson. A plaque was unveiled at the Waddell Street centre, which offers day services for older people, and a special celebratory cake was cut to mark the event.

It’s the second integrated day service in North Lanarkshire, providing combined health and social care services for older people with physical and/or mental health needs in one location.

Run jointly by North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire, the service sees health and care staff working together and sharing information to provide a more streamlined and personal service.

Depute Provost Robertson said: “It was a real pleasure to attend this official opening and a great opportunity to meet some of the users benefiting from this service. Services like this one really make a positive difference to the lives of our older people and I would like to wish everyone involved with the Harry Walker centre a very successful future.”

This new joined-up approach to day services is in place to provide the best possible support, treatment and care for older people who experience difficulties in daily living, added Councillor McCulloch, convener of Housing and Social Work Services.

“Up to 30 people every day will benefit from this type of care provided by the new integrated services being delivered at the Harry Walker Day Centre.”

It’s not only users who will reap the benefits. The integrated day service also plays a key role in supporting carers. The range of health services offered are much more intensive and flexible for people with complex care needs.

These support services help ensure people are healthier and able to stay at home for longer, which is a key objective for the council and its partners.

Another major benefit is that older people using the service have found it much easier to receive the care they need at the one centre, instead of having to attend various locations. Among the services provided at Harry Walker are group therapy work, flexible support for carers, rehabilitation and continual assessment.

Director of North Lanarkshire Community Health Partnership, Colin Sloey, of NHS Lanarkshire, said: “The Harry Walker Day Centre is a fantastic example of the council and NHS working together to provide improved services for older people in North Lanarkshire.

“This centre will bring real benefits to those who use it, offering them the best possible support, treatment and care. I am delighted that older people in our communities are able to benefit from the fact that in North Lanarkshire we are leading the way with this innovative approach to day services.”