New Smart room opens

From a clock with big numbers to panic alarms, a whole range of equipment to allow more residents to continue independent living is now available in north Norfolk.

The Smart Room at Wells Community Hospital, opened by North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb on Friday, demonstrates how assistive technology can support safe living within the home for a range of people with varying needs and abilities.

Project manager Peter Rainsford said there was something for everyone which would give peace of mind to those with even minimal assistance needed and their families.

“It can be a simple piece of equipment for someone who is a bit forgetful to more extreme cases such as alerting if you have left doors open or even where a control centre can be alerted if no movement is detected by a person for a certain number of hours,” he said.

“It is amazing what technology is available and not all people realise what is out there.”

The room is set up as if it were a typical domestic house and visitors can arrange an appointment for an assessment of their needs as well as their eligibility for free or subsidised supply through social services.

The equipment has been provided in partnership with Norfolk Adult Social Services and its support worker Maxine Haydon said they had been looking for a suitable centre for the display for three years.

“It has been very important to find a resource in north Norfolk because of the high number of elderly residents and its rural location,” she said.

Mr Lamb said he was immensely impressed by the service which he described as “the future of health and social care in action”.

He added: “It is a wonderful demonstration of how we can better help people self care and be kept at home rather than ending up in residential care and avoiding emergency admissions to hospital.”

For more information about the Wells Smart Room, which will be open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, contact Mrs Haydon on 01328 863241.