Residents living in an extra care housing scheme in Bedford can now receive specialist care in their homes seven days a week thanks to housing association bpha, Bedford Borough Council and Dial House, a local company that has been providing care in Bedford for 60 years.

The Council and bpha worked together to secure Bedford-based Dial House as the lead care provider at Sir William Harpur House in Brickhill, Bedford.

The move to engage Dial House will ensure a consistent, high quality, flexible service for all residents from staff based on site at Sir William Harpur House.

To celebrate the occasion, bpha held an event at Sir William Harpur House yesterday for residents, family and friends that was attended by the Mayor. Representatives from bpha, the Council and Dial House also attended and guests will be treated to afternoon tea with a selection of homemade cakes and sandwiches.

Harpreet Chander, Retirement Services Manager at bpha said it was reassuring to know that residents will be getting the care they need, when they choose it.

“Sir William Harpur House opened eight years ago as an extra care scheme for people aged 60 and over. Individual care packages were secured from a number of providers, either through social services or paid for by residents themselves.

“The lack of on site care meant that there was a lack of flexibility and tenants were receiving different levels of service. Some required more assistance than visiting care workers and mobile wardens could offer. This resulted in people moving from Sir William Harpur House to residential care where their needs could be more fully met,” she said.

“We wanted to make sure that we were providing residents with a home that they could remain in for life, but in order to do this, care workers needed to be available all the time. We worked with Bedford Borough Council and invited a number of care providers to submit proposals for how they would deliver on site care within existing resources. Guided by what residents said was important to them about the care they receive, we chose Dial House as the lead provider.”

Dial House has more than 60 years experience providing care to local residents in and around Bedford from its base in Dynevor Road.

Ms Chander said that she was excited to be working with Dial House.

“With its extensive experience working in both the public and private sectors, Dial House meets our needs . Through this partnership, I feel that we are now fully equipped to respond to local care requirements.”

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: “With people living longer, there will naturally be a greater reliance on care and support.  At Sir William Harpur House, residents want to continue to live comfortably and enjoy a good quality of life for as long as they can, and getting the right care at the right time can make all the difference.

“This is a great example of bpha and the Council working together to improve the lives of older people in Bedford.”

bpha offers a range of extra care schemes throughout Bedford, with its latest development being Gordon Colling House in the Eastcotts area of Bedford, which will be available to residents from April 2012.

For more information, please contact Suzanne Miller on 01234 791036 or email suzanne.miller@bpha.org.uk.