Summerhill View Residential Home nearing completion

Independent provider sought as Manx Care can't meet staffing needs

A new 60-bed residential care home being built in Douglas is nearing completion with a handover to the Department of Health and Social Care and Manx Care in Spring.

Summerhill View on Victoria Road has been in development on the site of the former Glenside Home since approval was granted in 2020.

But the way it's staffed may not be as first intended. It was hoped Manx Care would be able to fully staff the site itself, but now the health body says it's looking at the possibility of commissioning an independent provider instead - a process expected to take up to 12 months.

The new home replaces Reayrt ny Baie on Albert Terrace, which is now said to be 'dated and impractical'.

It says the goal is to explore the opening of two of the four units in this new 'state-of-the-art' building to accommodate some of the residents from Reayrt ny Baie by the end of the year.

Manx Care says: 'Staff and residents/relatives of those at Reayrt ny Baie have been informed of these proposals, and individual discussions will take place going forward to ensure each staff member and resident has an opportunity to discuss their individual circumstances so we can help to find them the most appropriate placement and job in the future.'

Interim Executive Director of Social Care and Integrated Mental Health, David Hamilton, says: 'We recognise that this may cause some concern, and could be an unexpected change for those who live at Reayrt ny Baie, as well as their families.'