Care home provider 'good value for money' but cost not disclosed

Private provider LV Care Group has been awarded a contract to run Summerhill View

Manx Care insists taxpayers are getting 'good value for money', as it outsources the running of Summerhill View care home to a private provider.

But it's refused to disclose how much the contract awarded to LV Care Group is worth, or how many staff will be required to operate the facility.

The health body also won't reveal how many other organisations submitted bids when the contract went to tender.

It's hoped the 60-bed state of the art home - replacing Reayrt ny Baie - will open in November, although a confirmed date has not yet been set.

Staff will need to undergo 'operational training' and LV is still due to complete registration of the site.

Detailed plans are yet to be put in place to oversee the safe moving of those from Reayrt ny Baie.

Tynwald initially allocated £11.7 million to build the new care home in 2020, but increased construction costs coupled with regulatory and best practice guidelines changing saw that figure rise to nearly £15 million.

Manx Care says it had originally hoped to staff Summerhill View itself, but "other options were explored to ensure services will be delivered in the most efficient way".

Manx Radio's Christian Jones sat down with Manx Care's Executive Director of Social Care, Mental Health and Safeguarding Professor Tim O'Neill: