Deal to ease social care 'gridlock'

DHSC seeks £8m for nursing home

The Department of Health and Social Care says purchasing a fully-fitted nursing home in Douglas will improve elderly care provision in the Island.

All nursing home care is currently privately operated, with residents facing bills of up to £950 per week.

As a result, almost 40 elderly people occupied beds in Noble's Hospital last year, unable to move to a nursing home.

Next week, the DHSC will seek Tynwald approval to buy an off-the-shelf, new-build, 68-bed facility on Salisbury Street for £8.1 million - with the aim of tendering out its management.

Minister Howard Quayle says the move would ease 'gridlock' in the system, with two-thirds of beds funded by the maximum social security benenfit, the remainder offered as private placements.

Mr Quayle explains how the deal has come about: