14 May 2010
Fiscal stimulus funds are being used to improve facilities in a hospital ward for people with dementia.
Rosewood House provides continuing care to 52 patients who have dementia and need high levels of nursing care. During recent years, the ward has become dated and in need of modern fire safety measures and improvements to reduce the risk of hospital acquired infection.
Due to the amount of work and disruption, half the patients at Rosewood House will need to be temporarily moved to an alternative care environment. During the planning phase, the most appropriate environment was identified as McKinstry Ward at Overdale Hospital. However, before patients can be moved, remedial works need to be carried out. A tendering process has been completed for this stage of the work at McKinstry Ward and £235,020 has been awarded from the fiscal stimulus fund to enable work to start shortly.
Directorate Manager for Mental Health Service, Ian Dyer, said “This is an exciting opportunity to significantly improve the living conditions and upgrade the safety facilities for this vulnerable patient group. Upgrading the ward layout, flooring, lighting and bedroom facilities will have a direct impact on the level of comfort provided to the patients and improve staff working conditions.”
There will be a tender process for the next stage of the refurbishment programme – the upgrade of Rosewood House. Each stage will be considered for fiscal stimulus funding once tendering is complete. It is estimated that the full upgrade of Rosewood House will take about a year.
Treasury Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf, said “This is an excellent example of how fiscal stimulus funds can provide employment to support the Island’s economy during these challenging financial times, while improving the living conditions of some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”
It’s hoped work on Rosewood House will begin as soon as McKinstry Ward improvements are completed. Patients will return to Rosewood House once the upgrade is carried out.
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