Comhairle nan Eilean Siar PRESS RELEASE 22 November 2001 For Use: Immediately

Press Links

NORTH UIST RESIDENTIAL HOME SET FOR MAJOR OVERHAUL

Trianaid, the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar residential home in Carinish, North Uist, is about to have £350,000 major renovation, the second part of a two-phase programme costing over half a million pounds. The Social Work Committee of the Comhairle accepted the tender from a local contractor, and it is hoped that work on the project will start by Christmas.

The twenty-year old home was built as three separate units, each housing five residents. The design of the building was proving increasingly unsuitable for people who now need to receive residential care, the Director of Social Work explained to the Committee.

The redevelopment will see all the facilities at Trianaid brought under one roof, centred around two of the existing units, with two new rooms for people with higher support needs being added as an extension. Extensive changes will also be made within the existing units, including improving bedroom facilities, and constructing a new kitchen and dining area. When completed, Trianaid will accommodate 12 residents, providing both long-term and respite care.

NHS Eilean Siar is meeting £175,000 of the cost of the project, reflecting a growing pattern of joint funding of care services between the NHS and the Comhairle.

Chair of the Social Work Committee, Mairi Bremner, expressed her pleasure at seeing the renovation proposals for Trianaid reach fruition. “We have plans for a rolling programme of renewal of our residential care services. This is a necessary step to make sure the standards of our care facilities keep pace with the expectations of our communities. We have to be mindful, as well, of the fact that Comhairle residential care is going to be subject to full inspection and registration through the new Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care”.

Ends

Issued by Nigel Scott
Communications Officer

Tel: 01851 709389 (Work)
Tel: 01851 706412 (Home)
Tel: 07884 236103 (Mobile)
email: nscott@cne-siar.gov.uk