Psychiatric unit latest project set to overrun

ANOTHER States project will finish late and over budget after a UK supplier went bust. The safety rail provider involved in the development of the Oberlands psychiatric facilities went out of business near the beginning of the project.

The Health and Social Services Department has admitted that it was just one of a series of problems which had put work behind schedule.

Residents will now not move into the buildings until August, more than two months later than planned.

And minister Peter Roffey has admitted that the project will cost more than the budgeted £6.32m.

'Until it is signed off, I cannot say exactly what the cost will be, but I do not expect it to be a million miles away from the original forecast.

'Aspects of the work have been under pressure, building inflation has been higher than anticipated and while we have made savings elsewhere, I think we will finish marginally over budget,' he said.

'We are struggling to keep to the budget but any overspend will not be on the same scale as is rumoured for other projects.'

The three 20-room blocks are the first phase of the relocation of psychiatric services from the Castel Hospital to the PEH site. They will provide long-term care facilities for the confused elderly, such as those with Alzheimer's and dementia.

Work began in June 2002 but the project, designed to take 18 months, will finish late.

'It is behind schedule. It was due to be finished in the spring, with residents being transferred from the Castel Hospital soon after; now they will not move in until August,' said Deputy Roffey.

'We had a number of small delays at the beginning that meant, for example, that the supplies for the flooring were delayed and the firm which was supplying the safety rails effectively went bust.'

The new facilities will mean residents will move from the Castel dormitories to having their own room with en-suite bathroom.

'It is quite difficult not to have some slippage because of the pressure in the building industry. The sub-contractors do try to carry out the work on time but it is harder at the moment than at other times.

'It is disappointing. We would obviously have liked to have met the original targets but it is important not to rush as we want to make sure that the rooms are well finished as they have been built to be ideal.'

The new blocks will be named Hanois, Fougere and Casquets after local lighthouses.

The second phase of the development is a 24-bed ward and a day hospital.

No date has been fixed for work to begin as it is dependent on the States agreeing to the funding.