In February 2023, we announced that a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection report had been published. It included a series of recommendations relating to improvement works to be undertaken at Park House, the islands’ care home.
The Council is working through an action plan to address the Care Quality Commission recommendations. The action plan is being updated as the works are being undertaken.
We aim to complete the following improvements as soon as possible over the coming months. The schedule for these works is subject to a number of factors, including planning consent, building control approvals, contractor availability and weather conditions.
- electrical and plumbing works
- improved laundry facilities
- new cloakroom and toilet facilities
- new windows and doors
- redesigned and re-equipped kitchen
- spacious new wet room
- redecoration and replacement furniture and soft furnishings for all bedrooms
- redecoration of lounges and corridors and replacement furniture for communal areas
- new carpets for lounges and corridors (these will be chosen by residents and staff)
- new energy efficient electric panel heaters
The first round of works, including improvements to some of the upstairs bedrooms, is scheduled to begin on 17 October 2023. This area will be sectioned off to create a safe, separate working site with no access to the rest of the care home, which will also keep noise to a minimum, and allow the building to stay warm, dry and dust free.
Our health colleagues are supporting us to ensure that a small number of residents can be cared for at the hospital while the building works are carried out. The Fire and Rescue Service is advising to ensure the works can be undertaken with minimal risk to those residents who have chosen to remain in Park House throughout the renovation period.
All of the above will be paid for from the £700,000 of Council budget allocated to Park House to improve the experience of all service users living in and visiting the home, and the working lives of staff.
Councillor Avril Mumford, Lead Member for Adults said: “I’m pleased to confirm that we have already made an excellent head start in meeting the requirements of the Care Quality Commission in bringing the Park House building up to an acceptable standard. There is still a great deal to do, and it is not always easy to schedule this kind of works on the islands, but we are committed to keeping everyone informed about the progress we’re making to improve the building and enhance the lives of the residents and staff who work there. As I hope the community will be aware, retaining on-island residential care is one of the promises Councillors have made in our Corporate Plan and it is of particular importance to me in my role as Lead Member for Adults.”
We will aim to share more with you about the design and layout of the improvements being made as the schedule of works continues.
