Charity to sell part of site to fund community hub

A charity that cares for patients with complex neurological conditions is selling one of its Victorian buildings.

Castel Froma Neuro Care has two sites in Leamington Spa, Lillington House and Helen Ley House. It will sell the older part of Lillington House.

The charity said it would help to create a new community hub for patients in a different part of its grounds.

It added that inpatient beds would not be affected, and a "permanent endowment" on Lillington House ensures that profits from the sale would be reinvested to benefit patients.

The charity has submitted a planning application for the community hub, which would be on the site of the old stables at Lillington House.

"This will create a welcoming hub where those with neurological conditions or acquired brain injury can more easily and clinically appropriately access our specialist services," said Caroline Wilson, its chair.

"We want to make sure we offer the best places to meet the needs of residents for decades to come, ensuring we offer the NHS maximum value for money."

Lillington House has 56 bedrooms for inpatients. The part that is being sold is more than 100 years old.

Ms Wilson said problems included "frequent lift breakdowns, leaking roof and heating and hot water system problems".

The charity will keep the site's Princess Alice Wing, which has 31 bedrooms.

Its other site, Helen Ley House, will also remain. It has 46 beds, including eight new bedrooms.

The charity said there had been six to eight vacancies at Helen Ley in the recent months, and these, combined with the new bedrooms, would "more than accommodate" the reduction in beds at Lillington House.

"This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to a high level of care for residents in up-to-date accommodation," said Ms Wilson.

"It also means that selling the older part of Lillington House will have a minimal impact on capacity, and we do not envisage any redundancies or changes to job roles.

"Some residents and staff have already transferred from Lillington House to Helen Ley House, and we have received positive feedback on how they are enjoying the more modern and inspiring property."

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