Permission granted for £5m dementia excellence centre in Caernarfon

Plans for a “world class” dementia centre in Gwynedd have been given the go ahead and the £5m centre in Caernarfon will create more than 100 new jobs.

The 67-bed centre at the five-acre Bryn Seiont site is the creation of Mario Kreft, the proprietor of Pendine Park, and his wife, Gill.

The award-winning Pendine Park care organisation will demolish the former community hospital, Ysbyty Bryn Seiont, in Pant Road, on the outskirts of the town to make way for the purpose-built centre of excellence.

Gwynfor Jones, who spoke on behalf of Pendine Park said: "We are committed to providing a totally bilingual, flexible dementia service for the community.

"We are aiming to support people to remain in their own homes through respite and crisis care to support families in addition to the specialist residential services.

"Our leading edge training and staff development programme will provide a large number of career pathways and opportunities for the people we recruit."

Mario and Gill Kreft run seven care homes, a domiciliary care company and a teaching care centre in the Wrexham area and Mr Kreft is the Chair of Care Forum Wales, the main representative body for the care sector in Wales. He was awarded an MBE for his contribution to social care in Wales.

Pendine Park already employs 500 people in North East Wales and Mr Kreft was delighted the new dementia scheme was given the green light by Gwynedd Council. He said: "We are extremely pleased that we will now be able to make our vision for a world class service in Gwynedd become a reality."

The model for Canolfan Gofal Bryn Seiont (Bryn Seiont Care Centre) is a similar centre in Wrexham where the new Bodlondeb unit is divided into eight small, family-like units ensuring residents receive individual care and attention while benefiting from the back-up of a larger organisation.

In 2010, Bodlondeb was named the best new dementia care facility in Britain at the UK Over 50s Housing Awards and was also a finalist in the equally prestigious Pinders Healthcare Design Awards.

Mr Kreft said: "We have certainly not rested on our laurels and the design of Bryn Seiont has built on the knowledge and experience we have gained at Bodlodeb so that we can meet the local needs in Gwynedd.

"In addition to providing world class provision of high dependency care, our services will also include respite and day service.

“They will also be closely linked with our teaching care centre which is going to ensure that our staff have the highest possible standard of training and personal development.

Mrs Kreft said: “We see Canolfan Gofal Bryn Seiont as a really exciting opportunity to provide some new, innovative services and to work closely with the statutory authorities to make sure that those services meet the needs and the likely future needs of the people of Gwynedd.”

Photo: Mario and Gill Kreft excited to have permission for a £5million dementia centre in Caernarfon