AN ambitious range of improvements has been proposed to boost the care of elderly people in east Cleveland.

Langbaurgh Primary Care Trust - responsible for healthcare in the community - has joined forces with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to launch a programme to bring social services and the health sector together to provide care services for elderly people in one place.

At a time when authorities across the country are cutting care in the community services, in east Cleveland the two authorities are proposing to deliver an alternative.

Their plans include the closure of the ageing Stead Memorial Hospital and Wheatacres council residential home in Redcar, bringing the services they offer into one building, with GPs' surgeries, district nursing and occupational health services.

The schemes will be paid for through the private finance initiative, and it is hoped the services will be up and running in three years.

Redcar GP John Doherty, executive chairman of the trust, said the partnership "provides an exciting opportunity for co-ordination of health and social care so that we can meet the needs of our older people".

Councillor David Walsh, leader of the borough council, said it had become apparent that the traditional methods of providing care were no longer appropriate.

"Elderly people want care that can keep them in their own home and part of the community they have been in all their lives, supported by elderly people's homes if that is required."

The plans are supported by the area's two MPs, Vera Baird and Ashok Kumar.

Dr Kumar said it was a great initiative that would provide a better life for local people. Mrs Baird said: "People deserve the best facilities to work with and provide the best services for our elderly people."

The scheme has also been given the thumbs up by frontline nursing staff.

Linda Dunn, ward manager at the 19-bed Stead hospital, said it would provide a total health care facility.

"It has got to improve our working relationships because we will all be in one place. It is a big step to take but people will be better in this facility," she said.