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East Sussex County Council (In response to representations) 18th July 2003 Review of the Future of Harvard Road, Ringmer
I am writing to inform you of the outcome of the review of Harvard Road and of the recommendations being made to the 29th July meeting of the County Council's Cabinet Committee.
The recommendations are made in the context of the results of a market analysis of nursing and residential accommodation in the Sussex Downs and Weald PCT area and a feasibility study on the Harvard Road building and site.
The feasibility study was carried out to assess the potential of the Harvard Road building and site for development. The reason the study became necessary was because our architect assessed that the estimated current and ongoing cost of maintaining the building would be in the region of £323,000. This, coupled with the relatively high running costs, indicated that the home would not be providing value for money, which, as you may remember, is one of the criteria behind the review.
The feasibility study concluded that the building is not conducive with modern client care; has over generous ancillary support accommodation for the size of the bedrooms; is not energy efficient and the boiler plant and heating system require assessment with a view to upgrading. The architects also concluded that, because of the aforementioned problems, adapting and upgrading the current building would not address the issues of modern client care. However, the report indicated that the site has potential for development due to good access, its location to local services and its sheltered position.
Because of the relatively low numbers of care homes in Ringmer and the surrounding area it is being recommended to the Cabinet that, in the short term, Harvard Road remains open to continue to care for the long stay residents and to offer a mix of respite care and the 'Living at Home' programme. As the proposal to the Cabinet is to seek funding for the home to be redesigned and rebuilt, there would be no admissions of long stay residents.
As mentioned above, permission is also being sought to explore means of obtaining capital funding to develop and rebuild the home to a high physical standard to provide a mix of residential, and possibly nursing services, in line with the joint planning currently being undertaken between the Social Services Department and Health.
Finally, both my colleagues and I are acutely aware that this leaves the long stay residents and the respite care users with a further period of uncertainty about the future of Harvard Road. However, as we hope that you will appreciate, doing nothing is not an option open to us.
I will ensure that you are kept informed of any significant development.
Yours sincerely
John Windebank Project Director (Homes Review).
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