New care home facility option still to be decided 16/2/14
The final solution for a new residential care facility for the elderly on Barra is still undecided despite the pressing urgency.
A business case is to be approved within weeks before being lodged to the Scottish Government in a bid to gain the necessary funding.
A joint project between the council and the health board would see the crumbling St Brendan’s hospital replaced by a new building.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar operates the adjoining care home which is also to be renewed.
Hebrides News previously revealed that the Comhairle changed its plans and now wants
to have a stand-
The Comhairle is exploring three options -
The health board plans to build a new hospital with a GP Surgery and Scottish Ambulance Service on site.
St Brendan’s hospital was previously described as “completely unacceptable” for modern standards by health board bosses.
Around 85 people attended a recent public meeting in Castlebay School to discuss progress on the project.
Chief Executive of NHS Western Isles, Gordon Jamieson, said: “We had a very positive and engaging conversation about the project, and gave a commitment to ongoing and regular engagement of the local community in Barra.”
A project board and project team have been set up to progress the work, both of which contain representatives from Barra and key staff from NHS Western Isles and the Comhairle.
Work is underway to develop an outline business case which involves very detailed preparation and assessment of all viable options.
It is anticipated that the Outline Business Case will be developed and presented for approval by the St Brendan’s Project Board, the health board and the Comhairle by the beginning of April, before being submitted to the Scottish Government for final approval.
A full business case is also required before any funding is released.
Regular staff meetings and workshops with the community and St Brendan’s staff are to be be held.
Another public meeting in Barra is to place at the end of March.
With regard to the Health Board’s current position, the plan is to progress the option of a facility on the current site, with the GP Surgery and Scottish Ambulance Service.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s Director of Social and Community Services, Iain MacAulay said: “Importantly, the redesign of both accommodation and support must ensure that service users’ living arrangements are both safe and secure, with care provided to meet a broad range of individual needs.
“The proposed models take account of the vulnerability of older people and will have care staff based within the new facility 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, similar to what exists within the current care home of St Brendan’s.”
To progress work on the current site, a critical technical appraisal of the site adjacent to St Brendan’s is being carried out.