Barra and Vatersay Community Campus - Feasibility Study nearing completion

The Study which is exploring the feasibility of integrating health, social care, learning and community services and facilities on Barra and Vatersay and the provision of a single combined campus in Castlebay is nearing completion and a further series of engagement events were held this week to provide stakeholders and the wider community with an update on the development of the options and to seek their feedback.

Gordon Jamieson, NHS Eileanan Siar Chief Executive, said: “Continuing engagement with stakeholders has been a priority for us throughout the Study and we are very pleased with the level of interest in the proposals from the outset.  A significant amount of work has been undertaken in developing the four options and we welcomed the opportunity to provide further updates this week through the Study Advisory Group and the public drop-in sessions.  All the feedback provided will contribute to our evaluation of the options and inform the selection of a preferred option”.

Malcolm Burr, the Comhairle’s Chief Executive, confirmed: “In parallel to last week’s welcome announcement by Scottish Government of their allocation of funding towards the improvement of learning facilities on Barra and Vatersay, the Comhairle remains committed to working with NHSWI in, as part of the Feasibility Study, exploring the feasibility of a public sector integration model and the provision of a single integrated community campus in Castlebay”.

“Whilst much is still to be done in evaluating the feasibility of the four options, including analyses of particularly challenging aspects such as construction methodology and the financial and programme implications of such major developments in Castlebay, both organisations look forward to being able to identify and then develop and deliver the preferred option for what is a hugely significant investment by the Scottish Government, NHSWI and the Comhairle in public sector facilities for the communities on Barra and Vatersay”.

The options which were identified and are being developed and evaluated as part of the Study are:

Option 1     New-build integrated facility combining health, social care, learning and community facilities (including Comhairle services and Police Scotland) into a single campus

Option 2     Integrated facility with retained elements from existing Castlebay School, e.g. Sports Hall, Swimming Pool and Reception area

Option 3     Standalone St Brendan’s Health and Social Care Hub by NHSWI on currently proposed site, and standalone school and community facilities by CnES on the existing school site

Option 4     Collaborative approach (NHSWI and CnES) to project development (design, procurement and construction) but on existing separate sites.