New housing care contract awarded

Community Integrated Care (CIC) has been appointed to run a new supported housing service for disabled people at Duns in the Scottish Borders.

The Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders funded facility is due to be completed in September 2007.

The Todlaw scheme will provide 24-hour community-based care to former residents of nearby Marchmont House.

Eleven organisations tendered to provide the housing and respite care service.

Each of the 14 residents at Todlaw will have their own specially built house with kitchen, living room and individually adapted bathroom.

'Magnificent opportunity'

There will also be a shared area where people will be able to eat or socialise together if they wish, and office space on site.

NHS Borders chief executive John Glennie said it was the ideal replacement for the previous facility.

"I am delighted another excellent provider in CIC has been appointed to take over from Sue Ryder Care who have provided a much respected service from Marchmont House over many years," he said.

"The new service to be provided by CIC at Todlaw will give a magnificent opportunity for the tenants to extend their independence and integration with the community."