A County Armagh care home looks set to double in size – and bring much-needed jobs – with plans for a multi-million pound extension.
Mahon Hall Care Home in Portadown is owned by the Ann’s group and currently boasts 50 bedrooms for residents.
But there are plans in the pipeline to build a major two-storey extension to the Mahon Road facilities.
It would see the creation of 45 new en-suite bedrooms for residents.
Proposals for the development – which would represent a significant investment in the local care sector – have been drawn up and submitted to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
If successful, the development would provide a major boost for the local construction industry.
And, according to the application, it is estimated that the new-look home would see an additional 18 staff on site daily – an increase from 15 to 33.
Currently, the home boasts floorspace of around 18,300 sq ft. This would increase to around 35,500 sq ft.
According to Ann’s website, the care team at Mahon Hall “offers nursing care for those who have complex nursing needs, and respite care to give family or friends a well-earned break”.
And it adds: “We also provide residential dementia care where we support our residents to maintain their independence and individuality, encouraging social activity and building relationships within the home.”
The home currently has no vacant rooms for residents, an indication of its popularity.
The expansive extension would allow it to take in more residents, offering a much-needed increase to provision within the sector.
The planning application for Portadown comes in a milestone year for the Ann’s brand. For it is now 30 years since it was established as a domiciliary care agency in 1994 by its current owners Pat and Ann McQuade.
Ann’s Care Homes followed in February 2020. In July 2021, it took over 13 nursing homes from the Four Seasons Health Care group.
And a further seven nursing homes were acquired from Larchwood Care just five months ago, in October 2023.
Today, the company now owns a very healthy property portfolio of 23 care homes stretched right across Northern Ireland.
Again, Ann’s, via its website, can proudly boast: “Since its inception, the company has enjoyed a longstanding reputation for the delivery of quality care in the community and for their teams of dedicated, trained staff who put clients’ needs at the heart of everything they do.
“The company enjoys the highest staff retention rates across the healthcare industry. At Ann’s we believe that training is the cornerstone of excellence.
“All staff receive a comprehensive induction programme which exceeds mandatory training requirements and the existence of our in-house training team allows us to adapt to varying facility training requirements with ease.”
It was Ann’s which also renovated and opened the home which now stands on the site of the old Famous Grouse Inn at Loughgall.
The proposals for Mahon Hall in Portadown is, therefore, the latest in a series of investments as the owners look to the future.
The application will now be advertised shortly with a decision expected later in the year.
