Purpose-built facility to be purchased

The health and social care department is to buy a new-build care home for the elderly in Douglas, at a cost of ?8.1 million.

Funding has been agreed by Tynwald, after the health minister argued that the Island desperately needs a nursing home facility within reach of those who cannot afford private sector care.

Howard Quayle said the purpose-built home in Salisbury Street was on sale at a good price - and buying it 'off-the-shelf' made financial sense. 

Queries over the cost from Lib Van members Peter Karran and Kate Beecroft were dismissed, with the minister saying the home had been independently valued. 

The facility is to be operated by a private firm, with two-thirds of the beds offered at a rate matched by the top rate of social security benefit.   

Garff MHK Steve Rodan said purchasing, rather than building a home, had not been planned - but it was an opportunity that had to be  seized: