09 December 2015
The Limes, a nursing home owned by Health and Social Services Department (HSSD) will close by the end of April 2016.
The Limes, based at Green Street, St Helier, is currently home to 25 Islanders, with around 40 staff employed there. Its history as a HSSD facility dates back to 1974, when it was originally opened as a residential home.
The recently refurbished Willows day care centre will not be affected and nor will the social housing on site.
Director of Services for Older People, Ian Dyer, said “After careful consideration and much discussion, it has been decided to close The Limes.
“Despite the fact that the residents enjoy being there, and the care they receive is excellent, it has become apparent that after continual use for more than four decades, the building does not offer a suitably high quality of environment for those Islanders who use nursing care services,” he said.
“It would need an extremely high level of investment to make it fit for purpose and this would not be cost-effective.”
Residents of The Limes and their families will now be offered support by HSSD to find alternative accommodation in the independent sector before April.
No planned redundancies
There are no planned redundancies because of the closure. Staff who are affected by the closure of the Limes which includes sisters, nurses, health care assistants, housekeeping and laundry staff, catering staff, a ward clerk and an activities co-ordinator will be re-deployed to other roles within HSSD and have been reassured about this. Where needed, staff will be offered training packages. The HR Department is working closely with staff to offer support and information and advice.
Minister for Health and Social Services Senator Andrew Green acknowledged that the proposed closure was a worrying time for residents, their families and staff, but added that residents and staff alike would be supported through the change.
“A decision to close any building where people live and work - some for a long time - is always difficult, but we know in this case, after a great deal of thought, that this is the right path of action,” said Senator Green.
“Although the care on offer is exemplary, we know that the environment is not fit for purpose any longer and to spend money on upgrading the building would not make sense at a time when the independent care sector is offering such high-quality nursing homes. We are committed to fully supporting the staff, residents and their families.”
The Limes building, once closed, will be passed to Jersey Property Holdings, part of the Treasury and Resources Department, for consideration about its future use.
The Limes is one of two nursing homes owned by HSSD, the other being Sandybrook, a 26-bedded home based in St Peter. There are no changes planned to Sandybrook nursing home.
gov.je