Minister of State for Care Services, Paul Burstow, visited mcch services in Sutton on Friday 10th December.
As MP for Sutton and Cheam, Paul was very familiar with the re-provision of services as a result of the closure of Orchard Hill - a long-stay institution for people with learning disabilities. New properties were built, which included a scheme that is home for 8 individuals within their own self-contained flat (Homelands) and another for 10 individuals (Mottistone).
Individuals living at both schemes benefit from the independence that is linked with supported living. The Minister met a few of the tenants, including Tracey who kindly showed him her flat.
Operations Director, Jane Bailey, explained the benefits that assistive technologies have had for the tenants. At Homelands there are door sensors that monitor and alert staff if individuals venture out of their rooms late at night and do not return for a period of time.Assistive technologies enable staff to give tenants their independence without constantly monitoring them and each technology used is based on the tenant's individual needs.