First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has visited a new 'pioneering' community care housing development designed for older people in Moray.

The 33-flat Varis Court scheme in Forres was developed by Hanover Scotland in partnership with Health & Social Care Moray and the Scottish Government.

The complex is designed specifically to be spacious and to suit individual residents' needs. Features include a dining room, a common room and two large outdoor courtyards. In addition, it contains a 'sensory room' with innovative light features and a planting area.

The development also features an augmented care unit with five flats providing complex health care in a homely environment. The unit has qualified nurses on-hand 24/7 to support patients and provides flats that aspire to replicate the patient's home rather than a hospital environment, aiding recovery.

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Commenting after the visit, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "One of the most important ways to ensure the quality of life of older people is to increase access to safe, affordable homes that enables independent living.

"I was delighted to visit Varis Court today and meet staff and residents to see first–hand how Scottish Government investment is helping older people to remain living in their own homes, safe and secure, for as long as possible."

Helen Murdoch, Hanover Scotland chief executive, added: "We are absolutely delighted that the First Minister was able to visit Varis Court and see first-hand the expert design and thought that has gone into creating the development and bringing health care back into the community. The emphasis is very much on the residents and we have worked hard to create an environment in which they feel at home. The building itself is designed to let in as much light as possible, be easy to move from floor to floor, and with our large central courtyard there are plenty of open spaces for residents to relax and socialise.

"By working in close partnership with Health & Social Care Moray we have created a cutting-edge model for other developments in the area. The first resident will shortly move into our new development Linkwood View in Elgin, which has 30 housing with care flats."

(LM/MH)