By Arun Marsh

STAFF at Helena Lane House, in Ludlow, are gearing up to move their facilities and services while the building is demolished a new one built.

The overhaul follows a building survey and consultation with staff, patients and families which concluded that dramatic modernisation was needed.

The new building will be fully equipped to handle the needs of elderly people in the district and will include rooms for community use.

"There are loads of new facilities available to patients and to the community," said south Shropshire's care manager Liam McKervey.

"There will be suites for occupational therapy, physiotherapy and IT, a caf, a laundrette and two large rooms which can be used by groups like the Scouts."

The back offices at Helena Lane House will move to the new development in Craven Arms' auction yard, along with social services.

"The Primary Care Trust and social services were each allocated one floor in the new offices at Craven Arms," said Mr McKervey.

"But instead of having one floor each, we will be sharing to optimise the service to the public."

Whilst work is under way at the Craven Arms development and Helena Lane House, the services will be temporarily housed in three separate locations.

The day service and offices will go to the former Aquila / MEB base in Riddings Road.

The personal care and laundry services will be at the Guy Thorncroft Centre and the carers groups and lunch groups will be at the Bishops Mascall Centre.