Transforming Care on the Isles of Scilly: Major Build Update

The Isles of Scilly’s long-anticipated Integrated Health and Social Care Facility has hit a major milestone as the first modular units are now in place. The hospital wing modules, which were craned into position on Monday, 20th January, mark a significant step in the project’s progress. Impressively, the lifting process was completed in under 24 hours.

Construction on St Mary’s

The new facility is being constructed on the site of St Mary’s Community Hospital and adjacent land near St Mary’s Health Centre. His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cornwall, broke ground for the project in May 2024, calling it an “exciting” development. Prince William expressed his intention to visit again in 2025 to see the progress.

The project has been no small feat, with logistics playing a crucial role in getting materials to the remote location. A 120-tonne crane, along with trucks and trailers, was used to move the modular units into place. Ken Jones, Build Lead for Community 1st Cornwall, described the project as one of the most complicated he has undertaken in his 18 years of NHS construction work in Cornwall.

“We are all hoping we can stand there with [Prince William] at the back of the completed building and say, here you go,” Ken said.

Photo: Prince William breaking the first ground for the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility

What Comes Next?

The next stages include lifting the roof trusses, which is set to begin in the coming weeks, followed by the fitting out of the hospital wing modules. Additionally, the remaining modules for the care home part of the facility are due for delivery and installation in the spring.

Concrete foundations, which arrived on the islands in September, were also a key component. Delivered in batches due to their size and weight, they formed the podiums and slabs now supporting the structure.

Photo: Modules for the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility being brought ashore

What the New Facility Will Offer

The Integrated Health and Social Care Facility will provide a wide range of services, including:

• 12 residential care home beds
• NHS inpatient beds
• A modern maternity suite
• Outpatient services, including x-ray, minor injuries unit, and dental and consulting rooms

The new facility is designed to offer care as close to home as possible, with digital and remote technologies playing a pivotal role. According to Tamsyn Anderson, Chief Operating Officer for Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, this approach aims to reduce the need for health-related travel while enhancing connectivity with the mainland.

“We want to thank residents for their patience and support during the ongoing works to deliver this fantastic facility, that we are confident will bring significant benefits to the islands,” Tamsyn said.

Photo: Modules for the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility at the construction site

A Collaborative Effort

The project is a joint effort between the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the Council of the Isles of Scilly, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, primary care providers, the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, and other partners, all working alongside the Duchy of Cornwall.

Scott Fuller, Director of Adult Social Services for the Council of the Isles of Scilly, highlighted the importance of integrating health and social care services.

“It is not about the pill that you take, it is about the support that you give,” Scott said. “If we have two services working together with that same philosophy… we can encourage and support people to remain healthy and independent.”

Photo: Concrete podiums to hold the foundations for the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility

Looking Ahead

Kate Shields, Chief Executive of NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board, expressed her pride in the project’s progress.

“This facility is going to make such a huge difference to the islanders and those who provide their care, embodying our aspiration to make Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly a great place to be born, live, and grow old,” Kate said.

For more details about the new facility, visit the Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s dedicated webpage.

Photo: Finished foundations for the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility

Photo:Final module for the hospital wing of the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility is lifted into place

Photo: rchitect’s impression of what the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility could look like