Private Firm Could Run New Care Home

A new taxpayer funded care home in Douglas may not be staffed or operated by Manx Care as previously planned.

Summerhill View, a new 60-bed residential care home and day centre on Victoria Road, is nearing completion, with expected handover to the DHSC then Manx Care in spring of 2024.

The Tynwald-approved budget was £12.25m according to the Pink Book 2021-22, which secured funding for the new care home, a replacement for the dated Reayrt ny Baie on Albert Terrace in Douglas,  in the summer of 2020.

Options for staff at the home may include redeployment to Summerhill View under an independent provider’s employment, or redeployment to another Manx Care service.

Originally it was hoped that the home would be fully staffed by Manx Care, however other options are now being explored to ensure that services in the new facility will be delivered in the most efficient way, balancing value for money and high standards of care.

Manx Care is therefore investigating the feasibility of commissioning an independent provider to staff and operate the home on behalf of Manx Care.

The goal is to explore the opening of two of the four units in this new state-of-the-art building to accommodate some of the residents from Reayrt ny Baie by the end of 2024.

Staff and residents/relatives of those at Reayrt ny Baie have been informed of these proposals, and individual discussions will take place going forward to ensure each staff member and resident has an opportunity to discuss their individual circumstances so we can help to find them the most appropriate placement and job in the future.

David Hamilton, Interim Executive Director of Social Care and Integrated Mental Health, said: ‘We recognise that this may cause some concern, and could be an unexpected change for those who live at Reayrt ny Baie, as well as their families. However, it is important that our residents have somewhere to live that is fit for purpose, and which will be able to fulfil all of their needs – Summerhill View will deliver this.’

Manx Care has provided an FAQ here.