Download REF: 19/92/15 NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST

REF: 19/92/15
NORTHERN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST
Business Case for the proposed Refurbishment of Thompson House
Mid-Ulster Hospital Site, Magherafelt
Presented by:
Mrs Pamela Craig
Background
This Business Case sets out the requirement for the refurbishment of Thompson House
comprising of Ward 5 and 6, Mid-Ulster Hospital, Magherafelt to re-provide suitable
accommodation for a range of teams and services to enable service delivery to be co-located on
this site.
Reasons
This proposal fits the strategic direction and vision for older peoples services and also supports
the Frail Elderly pathway. The Trust’s older people’s population continues to increase rapidly and
in particular the 85+ age group. The complexities associated with this frail and elderly age group
has impacted significantly on staff resources and it is essential that this staffing resource is
maximised and new ways of working embraced to ensure that the needs of service users are met.
This proposal complements acute hospital provision, assists bed flow and provides the opportunity
to provide the right care at the right time in the right place.
Benefits
This proposal will:
• Allow the maximisation of staffing resources;
• Enable true multi-disciplinary working and provision of integrated care;
• Effect a reduction in duplication of referrals and assessments;
• Facilitate quicker access to services;
• Improve communication flows that will enable speedier decision making and
• Enhance and improve learning and skills development for staff.
Options
A range of options were considered and the option to refurbish and maximise existing health
estate was selected as the preferred option. This options facilitates the bringing together of multidisciplinary teams, including Nursing, Social Work and Occupational Therapists, into a single
location and this will improve communication and enhance service delivery.
The co-location of these staff groups to the Mid-Ulster Hospital Site also enable the Trust to exit
from three leases locally with the cessation of lease costs.
Affordability
The capital cost of this project is £465,170. The Community Care Directorate will meet nonrecurrent costs due to dilapidation and decant through cost reduction measures prior to costs
being incurred. This will enable the full benefit of co-location of staff and withdrawal from leases to
be realised. On completion there will be a recurrent revenue savings of £40K p.a.
Timescale
This project will span over two financial years with planning and design commencing in November
2015 and a planned completion date of 31 March 2017.
Conclusion
It is the view that the qualitative benefits realised from the integration of staff in Inver, Larne
demonstrate improved outcomes for service users in provision of services for older people. This is
a model for replication across the four localities in achieving the Trust vision of integrated services
for older peoples’ services and this investment affords the opportunity to realise this in the MidUlster locality.
FOR APPROVAL
October 2015