The first batch of modular units for the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care facility are now in place.

Lifting began on Monday, January 20, for the modules that will make up the hospital wing part of the new building. Each unit was craned into place, all in less than 24 hours. The new facility is being built on the site of St Mary's Community Hospital and land next to St Mary's Health Centre.

His Royal Highness, the Duke of Cornwall broke the first ground in May 2024. Prince William described the development as ‘exciting’, adding that he looks forward to coming to see it next year.

Modules in Place.
The modules in place (Submitted)

Three months later, the big build picked up pace with the arrival of the 29 modular units. Against the odds of time and tide, they were shipped to the islands and brought ashore by landing craft in less than a week.

Using a 120 tonne crane, trucks, and trailers, the delivery team worked tirelessly to move the modules to the build site also in less than a week. Next up was the delivery of the concrete foundations, in the form of podiums and slabs pre-cast on the mainland.

Due to sheer size and weight, they had to be shipped to the islands and moved to the site in batches. The first arrived in September 2024, with the rest following in October and November.

Modules for the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility at the construction site.
Modules for the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility at the construction site (Submitted)

Ken Jones, build lead from Community 1st Cornwall, describes the logistics of delivering such a large facility on such a small island as no mean feat.

He said: “It has been a very unusual project in every way, shape or form. I have been doing complex projects for the NHS in Cornwall for 18 years or so. This is the most complicated.

“When Prince William came over for his visit, he said I will come back in a year and see how you are getting on. We are all hoping we can stand there with him at the back of the completed building and say, here you go.”

Prince William breaking ground.
Prince William breaking the first ground for the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility (Submitted)

The lifting of the roof trusses is set to take place over the next couple of weeks. After that, it will be all systems go to get the hospital wing modules fitted out.

The site will have 12 residential care home beds, NHS inpatient beds, and a modern maternity suite. Outpatient services will continue, including x-ray, a minor injury unit, and dental and consulting rooms.

The facility will be part of a new model of care and will provide robust services to keep people at home or close to home where clinically possible. This will include maximising digital technologies and remote support to provide more enabled care on the islands.

Architect's impression of what the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility could look like.
Architect's impression of what the new Isles of Scilly Integrated Health and Social Care Facility could look like (Submitted)

The lifting of the modules that will form the new care home part of the facility is the next stage of the big build, and set to happen in the spring.

The project is a collaboration between: Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Council of the Isles of Scilly; primary care; Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust; South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust; voluntary sector partners; mental health services. All partners are working in collaboration with the Duchy of Cornwall.

For more details about the facility and the big build, visit: www.cornwallft.nhs.uk/isles-of-scilly-integrated-facility