Statement by Linda Smith, Shadow Minister for Seniors:
Shadow Minister for Seniors, MP Linda Smith welcomed news that plans are finally afoot to convert Channel House in St. David’s into a transitional healthcare facility, but she questions what took so long and whether the plans are singularly, short-sighted.
Redeveloping Channel House for use as a transitional facility solves only part of the problem. Over a quarter of our population are seniors with medical and housing needs. So, where does this development fit in with other plans to build housing, retail facilities and ultimately a new community at Southside?
Ms. Smith is urging the government to take a holistic view of the Channel House redevelopment as an opportunity to identify and define its role in improving medical and seniors’ services overall.
She says, taking a broad look at what exists and what is being planned can contribute to creating more connected solutions to many issues, while also deliberately creating a positive sense of place in Southside to successfully serve the community in the long-term.
“The bed blocking issue at the hospital has been accelerating for over a decade, and we are just now making a final decision on how to re-use suitable existing buildings to quell that crisis. At the same time, we have a housing crisis, and Southside is also a location for new housing, so how is all this coming together?
“Channel House had been deemed a suitable site for senior healthcare services over three years ago. Why wasn’t this alternative moved on sooner, particularly as there did not appear to be many promising proposals from the private sector to the Request for Interest in redeveloping the building.
“We now have to wait eight to 12 months before this facility can begin to provide any relief to the overcrowding at the hospital.”
Ms. Smith urged the Government to use the time wisely to map-out a systemic solution that will benefit Bermuda long-term. There needs to be a strategic plan for the development of Southside so that all reuse of buildings and land, and new developments, contribute to creating significant long-term infrastructure that moves towards building a nurturing and successful, sustainable community.
“The Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre is a good facility, but short notice of changes in hours can make it seem unreliable. Perhaps this is the time to identify opportunities for improvements that can deliver better services, including efficiencies and economies of scale. There may be areas where medical and seniors’ services can be enhanced and expanded by leveraging synergies that may naturally exist across the existing clinic and the new facility.
Ms. Smith says there is a significant need for residential and outpatient rehabilitation services and wound care for seniors. A partnering of the Lamb Foggo Centre with Channel House and other alternative services could go a long way to supporting seniors’ transition back into the community.
“The objective should be to develop residential and community support that will enable seniors who can, to age at home confidently knowing that appropriate community-based services are available, as and when needed.”
