PLANS to open new accommodation for Islanders with severe learning disabilities following the closure of a centre over a year ago have been delayed.
Aviemore, a five-unit specialist accommodation facility near Haut de la Garenne in St Martin, was previously used to house individuals “with learning disabilities who have the most complex needs and are in crisis”.
Following its phased closure, which began at the end of 2021, its residents were placed in other units while plans were put forward to create permanent accommodation by converting part of Rosewood House mental-health centre in St Saviour.
But Health Minister Karen Wilson said this week that the project had been delayed by Health and Community Services.
In a letter addressed to Deputy Rob Ward, chair of the Health and Social Services Scrutiny Panel, Deputy Wilson wrote: “HCS postponed the Aviemore reprovision project at Rosewood House due to delays with the relocation of Beech Ward and associated environmental works to facilitate this move.
“The planned learning disability accommodation project – that was at planning submission stage – was paused until either the availability of the Rosewood House space was confirmed, or an alternative site was found.”
The Health minister continued: “We are intending to reprovide the learning disability inpatient provision, but unable to confirm where this will be located at this present time.”
Deputy Ward also asked if there was a timeframe for delivering new specialist accommodation to ease pressures on the service.
Deputy Wilson responded: “HCS are currently exploring several options for different specialist accommodation within the learning disability service.
“As this includes discussions with housing providers, partner organisations and others, we are unable to provide a single clear timeframe by which this could be achieved – it is possible that some potential schemes could be achieved more quickly than others.
“Definitive timeframes will be known once we have determined the exact nature of the accommodation scheme(s) and how these are being operationalised.”
Several years ago, it emerged that Aviemore had been issued with three orders by the Health and Safety Inspectorate relating to a substantial lack of written policy or procedure in protecting employees from “violent or aggressive incidents” from clients.
It was later acknowledged in the Government Plan that the facility itself was a barrier against providing “appropriate and safe care, as well as providing a safe working environment for the staff.”
