Iain Wright welcomed Health Minister Ivan Lewis to the town today and accompanied him on a tour of Hartfields Retirement Village. The health minister was given a tour of the accommodation, the communal facilities that are available to residents including the gym, spa pool, library, hair salon, restaurant and cafe.

The £35m village in Middle Warren, Hartlepool, offers 242 apartments and flats designed for people aged 55 and over.

Hartfields is aimed at helping older people to live in their own home in a socially stimulating environment, with care and support available if needed.

It is a multi-agency project between the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, Hartlepool Borough Council, Hartlepool Primary Care Trust and North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Trust.

Mr Lewis said:

One of the greatest challenges facing every community, including Hartlepool, is an aging population.

Hartfields is a great example of an extra care housing developing that offers people an excellent choice of high quality accommodation for both those that want to be independent and those that need a high level of care.

In that respect Hartlepool is among the best in the country and this is a pioneering development.

Health Minister Ivan Lewis and Iain Wright at Hartfields.