Cawston Lodge had rooms for 36 residents when it closed in November 2019, just six months after opening.
 
The site on Paul Engelherd Way, which will be run to strict standards of hygiene and safety, is being prepared so that if required, it can receive people discharged from hospital in the weeks and months ahead.
 
The work is being undertaken by Norfolk County Council and NHS Norfolk and Waveney Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).
 
The additional social care beds would support people out of hospital when they are well enough to leave, but who need extra support before they can go back home, ensuring those who need to be in hospital can be admitted.
 
While all people cared for at Cawston would be medically fit enough to be discharged from hospital, they could include some patients recovering from Covid-19 whose symptoms are not severe.
 
The work follows investigation of a number of sites that might be suitable to provide temporary care beds during the coronavirus crisis.
 
Cllr Bill Borrett, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: “In order for the NHS to keep functioning in the face of Covid-19, we need to keep hospital beds clear for those in the greatest need, with more people receiving care elsewhere instead.
 
“By opening up many new beds within weeks, this ambitious project can take the pressure off our hospitals and make sure they can care for those who need them most.”
 
Cath Byford, chief nurse at NHS Norfolk and Waveney CCG, added: “We’ve seen a brilliant response to the challenge of Covid-19 from across the health and social care community, and we’re working in partnership to secure these additional beds.
 
“We hope we don’t need to use them, but we’re taking sensible steps to make sure we have capacity.”
 
See our earlier story:

• Cawston care home to close six months after opening