A new integrated health and social care facility on the Isles of Scilly will be located on the site of St Mary's Community Hospital.
This is the first time national NHS funding has been secured to deliver a build that will incorporate care home facilities.
The aim is to develop and continue an integrated model of care that supports the needs of the island communities.
It is hoped this will future-proof services for years to come.
The project is a collaboration between:
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Council of the Isles of Scilly
- Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust
- South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
- Voluntary sector partners
- Mental health services
All partners are working in collaboration with the Duchy of Cornwall.
Councillor Robert Francis, Chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, said: “The integration of health and social care services has long been considered to be the best option for the islands, as it will enable a better use of resources and easier access to the services. It will also increase the likelihood of island residents being able to stay either at home or close to home as their health and social care needs increase.”
“The council is excited to continue to work with our NHS colleagues in the delivery of this landmark project. It aims to improve the quality of life available to everyone on Scilly by reducing the risk of such essential services only being available on the mainland,” Francis concluded.
What will the new facility provide?
The new facility will include:
- 12 residential care home beds
- NHS inpatient beds
- Modern maternity suite
Other outpatient services will continue. These include:
- X-ray
- Minor injury unit
- Dental and consulting rooms
The facility and new model of care will also provide robust services to keep people at home or close to home where clinically possible.
This will include maximising digital technologies and remote support to provide more enabled care on the islands.
Debbie Richards, Chief Executive of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is a fantastic opportunity to improve the islands’ health and care facilities. It is also critical to ensuring their long-term sustainability.”
The facility will be fully operational by summer 2025
“Not only will the investment mean we can develop an integrated workforce and state-of-the-art building, but it will also allow us to deliver more services on the islands,” Richards continued.
“We will also be looking at how digital and technological developments will help us better connect the off islands to the hospital and the hospital to the mainland,” Richards added.
“These are designed to reduce health-related travel for both islanders and clinicians and provide patients with the best possible care at home or as close to home as possible,” Richards concluded.
What will happen and when?
- The Trust received approval for its short-form business case on 26 March 2024.
- On 18 April 2024, planning permission was granted by the Council of the Isles of Scilly.
- The first phase of archaeological studies began at the end of April 2024 and is well underway.
- Enabling works are due to begin later in May 2024.
- The modular build elements are expected to arrive on St Mary's in late summer 2024.
- Between summer 2024 and spring 2025, the Trust and the Council of the Isles of Scilly will engage with residents and staff. This will include workshops and events to gather views on how the facility and model of care will be developed.
- Work to refurbish the existing St Mary's Community Hospital site is expected to start in early 2025.
- The facility will be fully operational by summer 2025.