Tynwald Members will be asked to approve funding for a capital scheme aimed at modernising the provision of adult social services by the Department of Health and Social Care at this month’s sitting.
The proposed ?5 million project involves the creation of a day services hub within the Noble’s Hospital Estate in Braddan, off Ballaoates Road.
Day services for people with learning disabilities are currently provided across four main sites: Eastcliffe Resource Centre in Victoria Road, Douglas; Eastcliffe Resource Industrial Centre (ERIC) at Noble’s Hospital Estate; Greenfield Garden Centre in Douglas; and Mooragh View in Ramsey.
The creation of a new facility will consolidate services by moving activities currently undertaken at Eastcliffe Resource Centre and Greenfield Garden Centre to the new site which already accommodates ERIC.
If approved, the facility will enable the Department to bring day care facilities and current employment enterprises together at a single location where users will be able to engage in a range of activities, take up productive employment opportunities and receive support in modern, purpose-built surroundings.
The current Eastcliffe Resource Centre property was built as a family home more than 100 years ago. Its function as a centre for people with often complex needs is regarded as being compromised by its restrictive layout, as several extensions have been added during its time as a day centre. Moreover, significant maintenance costs and energy inefficiency mean the building is not sustainable in the long term.
The model of provision for day services has changed over time, with a greater focus being placed on meaningful activity and, where appropriate, employment opportunities for those able to participate. One of the driving motivations behind the new facility is the opportunity to develop a number of new social enterprise activities and extend the range of employment for adults with learning disabilities, including a cafe and shop selling garden centre produce.
Adults with learning disabilities increasingly want to remain in their own homes for as long as they can and live as independently as possible. In addition to the chance of employment, the new facility will deliver services and specialist care to allow them to do so.
The replacement building will provide:
• facilities to allow increased activities by employment enterprises
• day time accommodation for intensive care or therapy for people with complex needs
• accommodation to support a ‘drop-in’ centre to support special interest groups, visits by specialists, etc
• facilities to enable catering and domestic needs to be met, including special diets
• office space for the management and administration team
The proposal is in line with the Department of Health and Social Care’s five-year strategy, which aims to ‘work in partnership inside and outside government to ensure that arrangements exist and are developed for all vulnerable people to achieve their full potential’, and the Inclusive and Caring Island strategic objective outlined in the Programme for Government.
It also addresses two further commitments made under the five-year strategy: to continually review the DHSC property portfolio to ensure each is fit for purpose for the delivery and commissioning of services; and to develop community-based services to promote independent living and develop opportunities for independent and supported living as opposed to a model of long-term residential care.
Ends
Image 1: An aerial plan of how the new day services hub will look, if approved, sits within the red border: 1, new day centre; 2, industrial centre; 3, garden centre; 4, cafe.
