HOMELY OF HYTHE
HOMELY OF HYTHE
A long-standing relationship with Balgowan Nursing Home in Hythe, Kent has resulted in a changed and improved layout, improved accessibility, increased facilities and increasing the overall size and potential of the home. Now it truly is a ‘pleasant and homely environment’ that fits the commitment of staff to providing care of the highest standard. This is vital for all the residents, however brief their stay.
After successfully completing work on drawings for the private home of a Balgowan Director, Turner & Hoskins Architects were called on to begin much-needed work on this seaside nursing home.
Prior to working on the nursing home, level access was only available to 9 of the 17 existing first floor bedrooms due to the existing first floor arrangement and lift facilities, which presented considerable challenges to staff. In taking over the Home, Hythe Care sought to resolve this matter.
Turner and Hoskins Architects were able to obtain planning permission for 5 key additions to transform the working life of the nursing home. The first permission allowed replacement of the existing unused south-facing conservatory with a new larger year-round lounge, a crucial two-storey extension to provide lift access for the whole of the first floor including additional bedrooms and a nurses’ office, and new kitchen facilities with further additional bedrooms over.
Work began in 2007, and continued to increase the size of Balgowan to 40 bedrooms. Further improvements have resulted in the additional bedrooms all having en-suite bathrooms.
The layout of the home has changed and improved resulting in new kitchen and dining facilities, a new laundry, a new staff room, nurses’ station(s), a managers’ office, secure drugs storage, increased overall storage, assisted bathrooms giving bath and shower facilities to suit all residents, and a hairdressing/doctors consulting room. And the outside of the property was developed with improved landscaping.
Turner & Hoskins Architects dealt with planning committee meetings and local councillors, as well as a Right to Light matter, successfully resulting in all required planning permissions, building regulations approvals, and detailed construction information.
