THE Meadows Day Centre will be closed until further notice.
Torrential rain on Friday caused a ceiling to collapse in a corridor at the centre, where islanders with dementia are cared for.
Because the building at the Castel Hospital is around 40 years old, there were fears about asbestos being exposed. It was immediately closed with all staff and users evacuated.
Until the centre can be reopened, it has been moved to a temporary home at the Gateway Clubhouse at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
Around 20 people use the centre each day, but because the clubhouse is not as big as the Meadows, numbers must be restricted.
‘We are working on about 60% at the moment and that is decided on a need basis,’ said Meadows manager Damien Kelly. ‘People who absolutely need to be here have been given priority and they include people who live on their own or who live with a relative who is finding things particularly difficult.’
Patients on the Hanois, Casquets and Fougere wards in the Oberlands complex normally use the Gateway Clubhouse. Activities for that group will continue to take place on the wards.
‘We are trying to use it five days a week, but there may be the odd half or full day when we cannot,’ said Mr Kelly (pictured).
The staff of seven from the Meadows have moved with its users.
Mr Kelly said all of the departments had worked together to relocate the service and make it available so quickly.
‘Without this, we would not have known where to start,’ he said.
The clubhouse building is considerably smaller than the Meadows and Mr Kelly is hoping that work can soon start on repairing the collapsed ceiling.
‘With patients who experience dementia, it is important we have different areas for clients and we are more restricted here,’ he said.
Specialist contractors were called to the Meadows and checks for asbestos are being carried out.
Samples from the ceiling have been sent to the UK for analysis.
Work cannot begin until those results have been received.
Article posted on 17th November, 2009 - 2.29pm
Most Commented: