Reablement centre given the go ahead

An 80-bed reablement centre in Dorchester aimed at getting people home from hospital or care quicker has been approved by Dorset Council’s Cabinet.

The centre will be on the Dorset County Hospital site near Bridport/ Damers Road. The proposal is the first in a programme to ensure Dorset Council has the required care capacity, with up to £80 million earmarked from its capital account.

People discharged from hospital or recovering after a fall or illness in their own home are set to benefit.

The council was concerned the lack of suitable bedded rehabilitation services meant too many people were stuck in long-term care.

Councillor Jane Somper, portfolio holder for adult social care and health, said: “Our reablement plan has the opportunity to make a huge difference to people’s livelihoods, enabling them to go back to living an independent life.”

Deputy chief executive of Dorset County Hospital Nick Johnson said: “One of the key challenges for DCH is that we often have patients who no longer need to be in hospital but are waiting for an ongoing care and support package to be in place before they leave. This puts pressure on the hospital, as it means we have fewer beds for people that need to be admitted, and it can also have a negative impact on the patient, as staying in hospital for longer than necessary affects how people recover.

“A reablement centre on our site would allow us to move those patients who are ready to leave hospital, allowing them to continue with their recovery and free up beds on our wards for people who need them.”

Museums partnership seeking passionate local trustees

Wessex Museums, which covers seven museums including Dorchester’s Dorset Museum, is seeking new trustees with strong connections to the region and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The ideal candidates will also have a passion for art, culture and heritage and be skilled in generating income and managing communication campaigns.

For more information visit the museums’ website, wessexmuseums.org.uk

£35k grant to make Hardy’s archive accessible

The finest Thomas Hardy archive in the world could soon be more accessible than ever before after a £35,000 grant.

An archivist will now be employed by the Dorset History Centre (DHC) to catalogue the worldrenowned archives of author Thomas Hardy as a high priority, after the cash injection by the Archives Revealed programme at The National Archives. In a highly competitive process, the centre’s support charity Dorset Archives Trust bid for funds to in an effort to raise a total of £68,000. They are hoping to raise the remaining £26,000 to start the project this autumn.

The new archivist would create a freely-accessible catalogue, with descriptions of all Hardy’s archives.

A spokesman said; “At present this UNESCO- inscribed treasure is something of a hidden gem, with very little public information available about what it contains and how it can be accessed.

“The project will change all that with detailed descriptions of Hardy’s archives – the letters, photographs, poetry, manuscript novels (including the Mayor of Casterbridge and Under the Greenwood Tree), musical scores and printed material so making them accessible to the wider world.

“Understanding the archive is key to understanding Hardy and his world – his intimate thoughts, political opinions and the world of which he formed part.

“This is the finest Hardy archive in the world and this investment will bring it to life.”

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the project can donate at dorsetarchivestrust.org