Jersey Homes Trust, Family Nursing and Home Care and Christians Together say they are now in discussions to buy the Jeanne Jugan home, on New St John’s Road, which has been run for decades by the Little Sisters of the Poor, who are soon due to withdraw from Jersey.
The consortium has said that it hopes a deal can be agreed quickly so that there will be no disruption for residents.
The Rev Iain MacFirbhisigh, a Deacon in the Catholic Church, said that he had had a meeting with the Mother Provincial of the Little Sisters of the Poor and that she had four clear ambitions for the facility.
‘The first was that the ongoing security and care of the patients was protected, the security and care of the staff was protected, as far as is reasonable that the Christian values were protected and that the home was disposed of as a going concern,’ he said.
‘Now three local not-for-profit charities have come forward to take over the running of the home and we are hoping to rename it St Joseph’s Home in reference to the Little Sisters of the Poor’s patron saint.’
Mr MacFirbhisigh added that he was extremely pleased that the three groups had come together and was confident that a deal would take place.
‘It is a very wonderful group of people that have got together. The Little Sisters of the Poor trust in divine providence and have survived through thick and thin,’ he said.
‘I honestly believe that the group is providential – it is a consortium made in heaven. We have now got all the expertise and know-how required for a deal like this.
‘We are hoping for a seamless transition period where Family Nursing and Home Care move in with their staff and the Little Sisters move out and there is no disruption to the home and its residents.’
According to Mr MacFirbhisigh, the Little Sisters of the Poor have asked for £9.5 million for the home but there was still a number of formalities that needed to be dealt with and there was currently no timescale for any transaction to take place.
A spokeswoman for Family Nursing and Home Care released a statement this week confirming the news.
She said: ‘Family Nursing & Home Care is delighted to be working in partnership with Christians Together and the Jersey Homes Trust to consider a bid to ensure the wonderful Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan facility is retained for the benefit of Islanders and the local community.
‘Our aim is to support residents and staff to enable the facility to continue operating as a not-for-profit facility, while maintaining its Christian ethos.
‘We are still in the very early stages of talks and therefore cannot comment any further, but will share updates as they arise.’
