Ken Dodd is tickled to open care facility

The veteran funnyman travelled – complete with trademark tickling sticks – from Knotty Ash to Lawton Rise Specialist Care Centre in Goldenhill to mark the opening.

The comedian is an old friend of retired former GP Dr Raj Pratap, whose son Roger is chairman of Majesticare. The pair first met in 1982 when Ken appeared at a charity fund-raiser at Kidsgrove Town Hall which then - rotary club president Dr Pratap organised with fellow members.

The main part of Ken's speech consisted of good-natured observations and jokes on the effects of getting old. But he – almost – got serious to stress the importance of vulnerable people feeling safe and loved and the importance of having facilities such as those at Lawton Rise.

The comic told The Sentinel: "It is a wonderful place. It's like a seven-star hotel and everything is lovely, comfortable and luxurious. The carers are all very cuddly and there is a lot of love around, so that is a good thing."

During his introductory speech, Mr Pratap described how care at the flagship Lawton Rise had been described as being "almost exceptional" by experts and the authorities, and it is ranked in the top six per cent of care homes in the UK.

He added that the centre of excellence has a string of features, based on the latest thinking on dementia, which are designed to sensitively create a community for sufferers.

As well as pictures and items from bygone years, there is a pub, potter's wheel, indoor garden and hair salon on site, so residents can continue to have normal lives in a safe environment.

Manager Sally Latham said: "We want to concentrate on what people can still do rather than what they can't, and encourage independence."

Lord Mayor Councillor Derek Capey said Majesticare had done a wonderful job with the extension, which will increase overall capacity across the site to 62 rooms.

He said: "If I ever needed facilities like this, I wouldn't hesitate in coming here."

15th January 2009

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