New Isles of Scilly care home takes shape
The new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility is really taking shape, with the lifting of the modules that will form the new care home.
All 17 modular units were craned onto the pre-laid concrete foundations on Monday 19 May. Work to move them began at around 8am. Less than 12 hours later, they were all in place!
"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.
"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."
Ken Jones, Community 1st Cornwall
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."
And what a difference a year makes!
Build progress in pictures
May 2024
His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cornwall visits the site and breaks the first ground.
August 2024
The 29 modular units arrive on the islands, shipped and brought ashore by landing craft in less than a week!
September 2024
The modules are moved to the build site using a 120 tonne crane, trucks, and trailers: again, in less than a week!
October and November 2024
The concrete foundations arrive on the islands, in the form of podiums and slabs pre-cast on the mainland. Due to their sheer size and weight, they are shipped and moved to the build site in batches.
January 2025
The hospital wing modules are craned into place in less than 24 hours!
February 2025
The roof trusses and panels for the hospital wing are lifted into place and the fit-out starts.
March 2025
Refurbishment of the existing St Mary's Community Hospital building begins.
April 2025
The concrete foundations are made ready for the care home modules. Accommodation pods for key workers arrive on the islands.
May 2025
The care home modules are craned into place in less than 12 hours!
Once the build is complete, the Council of the Isles of Scilly's residential, domiciliary and respite care services will cease to be delivered from Park House. Instead, they will be provided from the new integrated site.
"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."
Councillor Avril Mumford, Lead Member for Adults, Council of the Isles of Scilly
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.
The facility will be part of a new model of care. It will 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.
"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."
Debbie Richards, Chief Executive, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Kate Shields, Chief Executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board was also on the islands to see the lifting of the care home modules:
"It is truly inspiring to see such incredible progress on the Isles of Scilly, where this new integrated care facility is becoming a reality. Seeing the care home modules lifted into place in just one day is a testament to the remarkable planning, teamwork, and commitment behind this project. This milestone brings us a step closer to providing islanders with modern, high-quality care that is designed around their needs, right at the heart of their community.
I was absolutely delighted to visit St Mary's this week to see the fantastic facility that is being constructed. It is going to be very special and will provide the truly integrated approach that we aspire to for the whole of the population we serve."
Over the coming months, work to fit out the modular builds and refurbish St Mary's Community Hospital will continue in earnest.
The hospital wing of the new facility is set to be completed by the end of summer 2025. The new care home is expected to be complete by spring 2026. Watch this space!