Tees Life Tees Life Issue 10 | Page 37

PROPERTY OCALS HAVE THE ANSWER T he world of conveyancing can be time- consuming and frustrating. Different searches and delays with reports can slow any property process down when clients just want it to move with more pace. So what’s the answer? Stockton legal services company OCALS has it in three key words. Fast, reliable and accurate is their motto, backed up by expert knowledge of the industry and pride in a personal approach. The Teesside-based search agency has been serving clients since 2008, providing law firms and conveyancers with a reliable service that, put simply, helps to take the work out of what can be a lengthy issue. Anyone buying or selling, whether commercial or residential, knows that land searches and reports are legal requirements. OCALS undertakes all of those searches with speed and professionalism, says managing director Jeremy O’Connor. “Conveyancing is about relationships, your OCALS director Jeremy O'Connor clients are going through one of the most stressful times of their lives and sometimes it can be a bumpy road but we are here to help make it run as smoothly as possible,” says Mr O’Connor. The beauty of OCALS, he says, is that it is a local business where staff are knowledgeable about the area and the industry and, crucially, are right there on the end of the line to communicate personally whenever a question or query arises. People make the difference, says Mr O’Connor. “OCALS was formed to simplify the process for the conveyancer, offering the ability to get all their needs in one place. “When you decide to place your searches with my team, you will get professional and knowledgeable advice to guarantee you peace of mind that your client’s property is fully protected.” Services include local authority, regulated council and local council searches, drainage, water, environmental and mining reports, as well as money laundering and compliance issues and completion services. To find out more contact OCALS on 01642 061353. The top tier of dementia care A n 84-bed specialist care centre for those living with dementia is set to open in Middleton St George after its new owners carried out a £750,000 refurbishment. Auguste Communities is the first of a new generation of care homes being developed by the Prestige Care Group, combining high quality nursing care with state-of-the-art technology. Prestige director Paul Smith described the new care facilities as “sitting at the top tier of dementia care” as he and staff made final preparations for receiving their first guests within an initial 21-bed residential dementia care unit. “Auguste Communities will rewrite the rule book for dementia care, setting the bar at a new height,” said Mr Smith. “Our flagship Middleton St George facility offers rural living within an outstanding care centre set within its own scenic grounds enclosed by trees.” The extensively landscaped secure gardens feature safe nature treks, a potting shed, gardening areas, a fountain, chicken coups and play areas for visiting children, while there are even plans to recruit a pot-bellied pig! Another key element of the facilities is the introduction of leading technology its owners Prestige leaves the centre “at the cutting edge of dementia care”. Prestige has become one of the North East’s first care centres to invest in a Tovertafel - an innovation dubbed “the magic table” - and a Snoezlen multi-sensory room, Dutch technology designed to reach hearts and minds sometimes assumed ‘lost’ to dementia. Uses infrared sensors to detect hand movements and stimulate movement, the Tovertafel is a care innovation that projects a series of fun interactive games onto a table to achieve social interaction, mental stimulation and physical activity in patients. The portable Snoezelen room – named after a Dutch word meaning to explore and relax – creates a soothing and stimulating environment using lighting effects, colour, sounds, music and aromatherapy. Mr Smith added: “We’ve introduced key principles of nursing centre design that’s being driven by research from Stirling University. We’re confident there’s nothing quite like this in the region – but we’re rolling out the formula of first-class care in combination with innovation across our Tees Valley care centres.” The care centre, which will eventually employ 70 nursong and care professionals, is now recruiting as it works towards opening a dementia nursing unit before the end of the year before opening the facility up for gold standard palliative care with an general residential and nursing environment. tees-life.co.uk 37