I made this speech on the opening of Nouvelle Maraitaine. This was not long after the death of Deputy Dave Jones and a plaque was installed to remember his contribution to the development of extra care housing.
I’m delighted to represent the Committee for Health and Social Care on this notable occasion.
And it is notable, not just because it marks the completion of a lovely new building built to the latest standards, but because it represents the beginning of a better future for those who will be lucky enough to live here. In reality it is not the bricks and mortar that make it important but what it represents in terms of providing support in the community , to enable people to live as independent a life as possible.
The extra care housing communities were developed to enable vulnerable and disabled islanders to live independently, with dignity and in an environment designed and built with their needs in mind and this has already become a reality. Residents’ lives have changed from dependence to independence and they have thrived in this environment.
In addition, the extra care communities have provided spaces for a wide range of charities and community groups to meet and join together in activities and have created true community hubs for people of all ages.
I am pleased that even more people will now benefit from the advantages that extra care housing brings.
What has been created goes to the heart of the wider transformation of health and social care, not only with the focus on improved care in the community but also partnership and engagement.
This development is an outward and visible sign of what partnerships can achieve when there is a clear destination and purpose with Housing, HSSD and GHA working together and I’m sure we all want to see that continue under the new machinery government.
Health and Social Care is committed to the ethos of this form of care and we are particularly proud to be here today to join our partners in the latest of what I hope will be similar achievements in the coming years.
Thank you.