Building work is set to start this week on two new nursing homes for older people with mental health problems.

The homes in Rayleigh and Westcliff are part of a multi-million pound long-term strategy to phase out most of the Runwell Hospital site at Wickford.

Together with refurbishment of a large part of the former Rochford Hospital, the homes will provide high-standard care for people suffering from mental ailments.

The new homes are being built by the South Essex Partnership NHS Trust which has signed its first private finance initiative (PFI) contract.

A business partnership has been established with Ryhurst, to build and maintain the two 35-bed homes, which will be staffed and run by the trust.

The new homes are at the Westcliff Day Hospital site in Balmoral Road and near the former Park School site in Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh.

Published Wednesday, August 6, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo