Castel Hospital upgrades facilities for staff and service users

Monday 19 April 2021

A newly renovated building for Adult Community Health and Social Care services has been unveiled, giving more than 200 staff a new place to undertake training and social work.

Adult Community Services provides social support mainly in the homes of adults in the island and relocated to the site at Castel Hospital in 2006. The Committee for Health and Social Care proposed and supported works to be carried out to an already tired building.

Policy and Resources agreed funding for the project in 2019 and, following support from donations and local businesses, the complete renovation of the facility has now been unveiled.

"This is the end of this phase of our journey in the development of community services and improving the environment for the people who work here and use our services," said Head of Community Health and Social Care, Karen Leach.

Pictured: Artwork and furniture was donated to the renovation project by local businesses.

Community clinic appointments can now commence, utilising the new space and a more open-plan reception and office space.

"We had to improve the environment that staff were working in because we were running out of space," said Ms Leach

"The quality of the finish is fantastic, and having the space to actually think makes a huge difference to our staff."

The continued development at the Castel Hospital site aligns with HSC's intent to develop a community hub here. The idea of a hub would be for people to have easy access to a range of services if they need it.

Pictured: Training equipment, such as a practice mannequin, can be used for training by staff who work mainly in people's homes.

The opening was attended by the President of HSC, Deputy Al Brouard, the senior RCN Officer, Julie Lewers, and HSC's Director of Hospital and Adult Community Care Services, Dermot Mullin, who said it was a welcome addition to Castel Hospital.

"We are delighted to be able to offer improved clinical facilities to our service users. It is a much needed boost to our adult community services."