A leading nursing home near Shrewsbury is in the final for a national design award.

Isle Court, Bicton, which is owned by Morris Care, has been chosen as a finalist in the 2010 Pinders Design Awards, which recognises excellence in the care industry.

The nursing home was shortlisted from more than 60 entries and is one of three finalists in the Best Extension or Restoration category.

Isle Court was extended and refurbished last year to provide 52 en-suite bedrooms, many with French doors leading to individual private patios. Isle Court enlisted the help of Professor Bob Woods, Professor of Clinical Psychology of the Elderly at Bangor University, to ensure it met the needs of residents.

Judges nominated the nursing home for its careful extension, setting and consideration for residents’ mobility.

Commenting on the shortlisting, Pinders Chairman and Judge of the Design Awards, Mark Ellis said: “We were truly impressed with the careful planning which Morris Care put in to every detail of Isle Court’s extension. We are keen to promote this and encourage developers to extend and renovate rather than simply demolishing and rebuilding.

“Factors from considering the environment to the comfort and wellbeing of residents and staff were all taken into consideration.”

Judging took place on February 17^th and the award winner will be announced at a ceremony at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on March 25^th.

Margaret Maudsley, Chief Executive of Morris Care, said: “After winning the award last year for Corbrook Court, we are delighted to be shortlisted for the second year running for the prestigious Pinders Award. This is a mark of recognition of the hard work and uncompromising standards of our architect John Evans, Morris Property and all the team who helped in Isle Court’s development.

“We hope the judges will be impressed on their tour of the nursing home and we do of course hope that we win.”

To mark its achievement so far, Pinders has awarded Morris Care with a £500 cheque which will be presented to the Severn Hospice, Shrewsbury, shortly.

The awards are being sponsored by leading care industry publication, Healthcare Business, and Lloyds Social Care Banking.