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Asbestos surveys on dilapidated and unused buildings at Overdale will start this month in preparation for demolition work for the new acute hospital to begin later this year.
But Samarès rehabilitation ward – the subject of controversy when it was closed and facilities moved to the General Hospital before the decision was reversed – will remain at Overdale for the moment.
The Government said that while all outpatient services at Overdale had now been transferred, Samarès Ward would remain at Overdale until further studies demonstrated that the buildings could not be used for the new hospital, and a new rehabilitation facility, of the same or better quality, was identified.
Pictured: Health Minister Karen Wilson outside Samarès Ward at Overdale
"We've been actively working with the Parish of St Helier who have offered an option for us to work with. That proposal is being considered at the moment and the team have been to visit and their views as to whether that will be a suitable alternative in this period of time," Health Minister Karen Wilson said.
"I don't think we can continue to maintain rehabilitation services at the Overdale site."
The Government has also announced that a local company, Jersey Demolition Contractors, has been appointed to carry out clearance of the Overdale buildings for the forthcoming development.
Work at Overdale follows completion of the move of Health and Community Services' outpatient services to the new Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre at Les Quennevais.Waste, traffic and environmental management plans have been put in place to minimise disruption, while the road between the crematorium and Westmountcentre will be closed. Additional parking spaces for crematorium have been allocated at Westmount Centre and will be signposted, the government said.
Minister for Infrastructure Deputy Tom Binet added that facilities at the new Enid Quenault Health and Wellbeing Centre at the former Les Quennevais school demonstrated the quality of building and healthcare settings that new facilities would achieve.
"I look forward to maintaining and even improving on these standards as we move forward with the development of the Acute Hospital," he said.
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