TOWN hall bosses are to spend £2.1 million renovating a rehabilitation centre.

Killelea House in Brandlesholme Road, Bury, has 36 rooms for people who have just come out of hospital or who are at risk of being admitted to hospital.

The Care Quality Commission and council chiefs are satisfied with care standards, but the council is concerned about the building itself as it was constructed as a residential care home, rather than for rehabilitation.

Bosses want to make facilities more effective so people can live independently for longer and reduce the strain on hospitals and care homes.

People currently stay for an average 32.5 days and the aim is to reduce that to 28 days.

In 2014/15, 337 people were referred to Killelea — 76 more than in the previous 12 months.

Figures show that occupancy levels are at 79 per cent, with many residents aged 80 or over, and the council predicts demand on places will increase as the borough's population in that age group rises.

"The new facilities will provide up-to-date reablement approaches, focusing on independence and reducing the likelihood of hospital readmissions," a council report said.

The plan is to build four flats at Killelea, where people can live prior to discharge so staff can assess what skills they need.

People will be encouraged to test their independence rather than depending on staff by, for example, cooking their own food and using gym equipment.

A bistro will be built so the general public can come in to eat and socialise with residents.

The report added: "We know that, if we delay someone going into permanent residential care by 12 months, the net saving to the council is £7,886 per person.

"By redesigning Killelea to reable people quicker, fewer people will be at risk of admission to residential care."

A design plan will now be drawn up and the council will submit a planning application.

Building work is estimated to take 18 months and Killelea would continue to operate during construction.

The decision to spend the cash was taken at a Cabinet meeting this month.

Afterwards, the borough's health and wellbeing representative, Cllr Andrea Simpson, said: "It's a fantastic opportunity to use capital investment to meet the demands of a growing elderly population who will rely more and more on intermediate care services.

"The new design models will provide care and support for vulnerable people with the emphasis on increasing people’s independence to live on their own for longer."