New dementia centre

A new dementia service has opened in the grounds of the former Eastern General Hospital in Edinburgh.

The new Seagrove Centre, run by North Edinburgh Dementia Care, will provide vital services to those with dementia.

The new purpose-built centre has recently been successful in securing funding from the City of Edinburgh Council for the next five years.

Around 108 service users from the area will be able to attend a variety of activities and programmes at the day care centre each week and it will be open every day apart from Sunday.

High quality care will be provided, which will support people with dementia and their carers following diagnosis.

It will also improve responses to the illness and provide alternatives to hospital admission.

The NHS has been a major partner through the development of the service – providing the previous accommodations within the Eastern General Hospital and looking to continue its support within this new centre.

Councillor Norman Work, Vice Convener of the Health, Social Care and Housing Committee, said: “It is fantastic to see this new centre spring to life and I would like to say congratulations to everyone who has had a part to play in the development of this new building.

“Not only will it provide great facilities and services for service users, it will also be a lifeline for their families too. We are looking forward to working with our partners in providing a high quality service.”

Dunedin Canmore Housing Association supported the project by providing new equipment for the centre.

Susan Napier, Business Development Director of Dunedin Canmore Housing Association, said: “We are delighted to have been able to provide this brand new facility for the Seagrove Centre, who have provided an invaluable service in this area for many years.  We look forward to working closely with them to continue helping the local community.”

North Edinburgh Dementia Care was originally founded in 1988 when it identified the need for services for people living with dementia and their carers in the local area.