New Isles of Scilly Care Home modules lifted into place
It comes just over a year since His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cornwall broke the first ground for the facility
The new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility is beginning to take shape.
17 modules - which will form the new care home - have been lifted and craned onto the pre-laid concrete foundations.
The facility will be part of a new model of care providing services to keep people at home or close to home where clinically possible, maximising digital technologies and remote support.
Ken Jones, Community 1st Cornwall, said: "I have been involved in complex projects for the NHS in Cornwall for 18 years or so. This is the most complicated by some margin. We have 80 shipping containers up at the site now, which gives you an idea of the scale and logistics of this project. So, to see all the modules now in place is a rewarding moment.
Councillor Avril Mumford, Lead Member for Adults, Council of the Isles of Scilly, said: “I am incredibly proud of the team on the ground. Despite being away from their families and loved ones for 2 to 3 weeks at a time, they all keep on working, day in, day out.
"We feel like the lifting of the care home modules was the last big challenge. Now we cannot wait to crack on with the fit out and refurbishment, leaving a lasting legacy for these wonderful islands and the people who call them home.”
"We are all so delighted to have the care home modules in place at the new Integrated Health and Social Care Facility, and so impressed with the speed and professionalism of the work undertaken. This is a huge milestone for the build, and the for the project as a whole, which means such a great deal to our community here."
What will the new facility offer?
The site will have 12 residential care home beds, NHS inpatient beds, and a modern maternity suite. Other outpatient services will continue, including x-ray, a minor injury unit, and dental and consulting rooms.
Debbie Richards, Chief Executive, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: "I had the privilege of being on the Isles of Scilly during the lifting of the care home modules. To see these units in situ and the new hospital wing being fitted out is quite something, and a fantastic achievement just one year since the first ground was broken.
"As the build project moves forward, we are also looking at how digital and technological developments will better connect the off-islands to the hospital and the hospital to the mainland. These developments are designed to reduce health-related travel, which we know can create challenges for islanders and clinicians. Wherever safe to do so, the goal of our new model of digitally enabled care is to provide services at home or as close to home as possible. We are excited to co-design these services with local residents and staff.
"We want to thank residents for their patience and support during the ongoing works to make this facility a reality. We are confident it will bring significant benefits to the islands for years to come."
It comes just over a year since His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cornwall broke the first ground for the facility. Prince William described the development as exciting when he visited in May 2024, adding: "I look forward to coming to see it next year."