New house for islanders having hospital treatment
The Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske in Truro is the major hospital closest to the Isles of Scilly
- Published
Patients from the Isles of Scilly and family members may soon be able to stay close to the Royal Cornwall Hospital before, during and after treatment.
The Island Haven charity said it had fundraised enough money to buy a five-bedroom house within walking distance of the hospital at Treliske in Truro.
Tim Guthrie, the charity's chairman, said there was currently "absolutely nowhere to go" for islanders discharged from the hospital during the night.
The charity hopes to exchange contracts on the property in Tresawls Road in the next week so that, after conversion works, the house could be available from the end of 2024.
Dale Clark, the harbour master on St Mary's, said the new facility would be "such a relief for many families who find themselves in that situation"
Mr Guthrie said: "People who have been flown away [from the islands] and then discharged at one o'clock in the morning - although they live on the Isles of Scilly - there is absolutely nowhere to go and put a roof over their head."
Currently, islanders have to find and pay for bed and breakfasts, hotels or self-catering accommodation, which can be difficult to find and cost more in the peak tourist season.
The new accommodation would be available for islanders undergoing longer-term outpatient treatment, for friends and family accompanying patients during emergency treatment and for patients discharged overnight or at weekends when traveling home to the islands is impossible.
'Such a relief'
Dale Clark, St Mary's harbour master, said the new facility would be "such a relief for many families who find themselves in that situation".
The house will be converted to offer four en-suite double-bedrooms, a communal kitchen and lounge, as well as a small garden and car parking.
The Island Haven started fundraising for a property in 2019.
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