Remaining Abbotswood residents to be moved out

Nineteen of the Island's 23 Covid-19 deaths from the home

The remaining residents of Abbotswood Nursing Home are going to be moved out of the facility early next week.

Nineteen of the Island's 23 Covid-19 deaths are linked to the home in Ballasalla.

Health Minister David Ashford said his department is "not in a position" to keep residents on the current site.

DHSC has been managing the home since 13 April.

Some have already been moved to the Community Covid ward at Newlands, on the Noble's hospital site - the former ward 20.

The remainder will either be transferred there, or to the private patients' unit which has been 'reconfigured to meet additional needs during the pandemic'.

The department has confirmed residents will continue to be nursed by staff who are familiar with their needs, and stressed it's a temporary measure while places at other residential and nursing homes are chosen by residents and their families.

Interim CEO Kathryn Magson and other members of the senior leadership team have been in touch with families today.

Minister for Health and Social Care David Ashford said: "We have considered the options to move forward in this challenging situation. We had hoped to maintain continuity at Abbotswood but it has become clear that we are not in a position to do so on the current site.”
 
"Moving home is always stressful, and we appreciate the residents may find this unsettling. We want to ensure as smooth a transition as possible to new homes, but this cannot be done in a single move quickly. The residents will be cared for at Noble’s while their ongoing needs are re assessed by our social work team, and a tailored plan for each individual is developed with their families. Families and residents will make decisions about what is best, with support from healthcare professionals."
 
Minister Ashford concluded: "We are putting substantial resources into managing a very difficult situation with the department responsible for the safety and care of the Abbotswood residents. The government is determined to continue to ensure the long term safety and well-being of all residents to the satisfaction of their families, and our deepest sympathies are with those who have lost loved ones."