New Isles of Scilly Care Home Takes Shape

Published On: 24 May 2025Last Updated: 24 May 2025By CornishStuff

A major milestone has been reached in the creation of the Isles of Scilly’s new Integrated Health and Social Care Facility, with all 17 modular units that will form the new care home craned into place in just one day.

The modules were lifted onto pre-laid concrete foundations at the St Mary’s Community Hospital site on Monday 19th May. Work started around 8am and, by the evening, every unit was in place.

Ken Jones from Community 1st Cornwall, who has worked on NHS projects in Cornwall for nearly two decades, said this has been “the most complicated by some margin”.

“We have 80 shipping containers up at the site now, which gives you an idea of the scale and logistics of this project. So, to see all the modules now in place is a rewarding moment.

“I am incredibly proud of the team on the ground. Despite being away from their families and loved ones for 2 to 3 weeks at a time, they all keep on working, day in, day out.

“We feel like the lifting of the care home modules was the last big challenge. Now we cannot wait to crack on with the fit out and refurbishment, leaving a lasting legacy for these wonderful islands and the people who call them home.”

📷Inside the modular units that will become the new care home within the integrated facility

From royal visit to real progress

The dramatic progress comes just over a year after His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cornwall, broke the first ground at the site. During his visit in May 2024, Prince William described the project as “exciting” and said, “I look forward to coming to see it next year.”

Once completed, the new facility will replace Park House as the home of the Council of the Isles of Scilly’s residential, respite and domiciliary care services.

Councillor Avril Mumford, Lead Member for Adults at the Council, said:

“We are all so delighted to have the care home modules in place at the new Integrated Health and Social Care Facility, and so impressed with the speed and professionalism of the work undertaken. This is a huge milestone for the build, and for the project as a whole, which means such a great deal to our community here.”

What the new facility will include

The integrated site will include:

12 residential care home beds
NHS inpatient beds
A modern maternity suite
Outpatient services such as x-ray, dental and consulting rooms
A minor injury unit

The aim is to deliver more care on-island, reducing the need for travel. This includes using digital technology to connect residents on the off-islands with services on St Mary’s and beyond.

Debbie Richards, Chief Executive of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, praised the progress and looked ahead to further improvements:

“To see these units in situ and the new hospital wing being fitted out is quite something, and a fantastic achievement just one year since the first ground was broken.

“As the build project moves forward, we are also looking at how digital and technological developments will better connect the off-islands to the hospital and the hospital to the mainland.”

“We are confident it will bring significant benefits to the islands for years to come.”

Kate Shields, Chief Executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, also visited the site this week.

“Seeing the care home modules lifted into place in just one day is a testament to the remarkable planning, teamwork, and commitment behind this project.

“This milestone brings us a step closer to providing islanders with modern, high-quality care that is designed around their needs, right at the heart of their community.”

Next steps

With the modules in place, work will now focus on fitting out the care home and refurbishing the hospital.

The hospital wing is expected to be finished by the end of summer 2025, with the care home scheduled for completion by spring 2026.

Big build progress in pictures

May 2024

His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cornwall visits the site and breaks the first ground.

August 2024

The 29 modular units arrive on the islands, shipped and brought ashore by landing craft in less than a week!

September 2024

The modules are moved to the build site using a 120 tonne crane, trucks, and trailers; again, in less than a week!

October and November 2024

The concrete foundations arrive on the islands, in the form of podiums and slabs pre-cast on the mainland. Due to their sheer size and weight, they are shipped and moved to the build site in batches.