The Regional Secretary for Social Solidarity today revealed that the Continuing Care Unit will enter into operation on Pico Island from Monday, October 3. Now, this network is implemented on eight of the nine islands of the archipelago.
 
This unit, which includes the Regional Network of Integrated Continuing Care, is installed at Madalena Health Centre. It is equipped with 10 beds for medium-term hospitalisation and rehabilitation and 15 beds for long-term hospitalisation and maintenance.
 
Andreia Cardoso stressed that the creation of this service "fulfils the commitment made by the Government of the Azores" towards the progressive development of a series of appropriate services in the area of health and social security. They are intended to respond to the "growing need for the provision of care to dependent people and developed in coordination with the existing health and social services already, always bearing in mind the best interests of the Azorean population."
 
The Regional Secretary spoke on the sidelines of a visit to the restructuring and expansion works of Piedade Night Centre in the municipality of Lajes do Pico, a work included in the Regional Public Works Charter that represents a public investment of about one million Euros.
 
According to Andreia Cardoso, this Night Centre "aims to be a valid alternative to the admission to nursing homes, reconciling the provision of support and assurance of security to the elderly with their desire to stay at home."
 
This social response, provided by the "Santa Casa da Misericórdia" of Lajes do Pico, will have capacity for 24 users.