Eric Wright to create 30 jobs with new Blackpool care home

Eric Wright Health and Care, part of building firm Eric Wright Group, is set to create dozens of employment opportunities after acquiring Bispham Rehabilitation Centre near Blackpool.

The move, which comes as part of the company’s strategy to increase its presence in the intermediate and residential care market, will see Eric Wright create 30 jobs by transforming the facility into a residential care home with specialist dementia services.

The property was acquired from Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and will be refurbished and managed in partnership with medical centre operator Spiral Health CIC.

Although plans for the site are yet to be finalised, initial designs feature an extension to accommodate a new 40-bed residential unit and areas for therapy services, much of which will focus on reablement and rehabilitation for the frail and elderly.

Eric Wright Health and Care director Christine Winstanley said: “This is a very exciting time for our two businesses to work more closely together.

“As the health and social care economy looks for new system enablers that are sustainable and cost effective, a partnership between a community interest company and an organisation wholly owned by a charity should be an ideal solution.”

She continued: “Our involvement in taking on this existing facility and converting it into an intermediate and residential care facility will ensure that we continue to build on the legacy of Spiral Health’s service provision in Bispham, extending therapy and support to residential care for local people with a broad range of needs.

“We will operate the new facility as a best practice model for the sector and recruitment will begin in line with the build programme to ensure that we have the managerial, care and support staff in place for a planned opening date.”

Spiral Health CEO Tracey Bush said the organisation is “delighted” to be driving forward a new model of residential and nursing care for the Fylde Coast community alongside Eric Wright Group.

She commented: “As a social enterprise we pride ourselves on being autonomous, innovative, flexible and responsive to the needs of the people we will be supporting and we look forward to adding social value to the area by creating sustainable employment with two award-winning organisations.”

Blackpool North & Cleveleys MP Paul Maynard said: “It’s essential that care provision evolves to meet the needs of local people and the refurbishment of Bispham Rehabilitation Centre as a nursing home with specialist provision will help to achieve this for local people.”