Local figures honoured at Brackley's new care home

The 66-bedroom Brackley Care Home, owned by Kingsley Healthcare, opens in Wellington Road next month.

Manager Sheena Croston has chosen to name the upstairs dementia units the Rainbow Suite, after the positive symbol of the coronavirus pandemic, and the McGowan Suite, in honour of Emma McGowan, Winchester House School’s community relations manager, who runs the Brackley Community Dementia Friendly Choir.

The nursing and residential units downstairs are to be named the Delia Frost Suite, after the popular matron of the former Brackley Community Hospital, and the Captain Sir Tom Moore Suite.

The McGowan Suite was suggested by teacher Mark Keating, who said: “Emma has raised awareness of dementia both within the school and the wider community.”

Sheena said: “Emma McGowan has told me she would love to come to our opening and to bring the children to sing once Covid is no longer an issue.

“I have already spoken to her about involving our residents in the choir as I am passionate about us becoming active in the community.”

The Delia Frost Suite was the suggestion of Suzanne Gray, the school’s wellbeing mentor, who said: “Delia was the matron at the Brackley Cottage Hospital for many years, bringing many children into this world. She had a poodle called Rosie who used to wander around the wards.”

Sheena said: “Delia Frost died some years ago and has no family. However, I appealed for information about her on Facebook and it is clear from more than 50 replies she was a much-loved and respected person in the town.”

Delia Ann Domachowski is named after the matron, having been the 1,000th baby she delivered at the hospital.

Joanne Burke wrote: “Delia delivered me in 1962. She was my inspiration for becoming a nurse.”

About 20 staff have already been recruited for the home, and when it approaches full occupancy it will employ more than 100 people.