May 31 – GSD: Autumn “Is Not A Firm Date” For Opening Dementia Facilities
The GSD says it is concerned that a firm date has not been committed to by the Minister for Health Dr John Cortes for the opening of the Dementia Day Care Centre and Residential Unit.
GSD MP with shadow responsibility for Public Finance Roy Clinton said:
“If Dr John Cortes had attended the AGM of the Gibraltar Alzheimer’s and Dementia Society (“GADS”) he would have felt the frustration of members vented at his broken promises and those of politicians in general. An opening date of September has now become Autumn 2016.
“The Government’s own National Dementia Vision and Strategy Document issued in 2015 said ‘Dementia is a Public Health and Social Priority’ the same document indicated the 54 bed Dementia Residence would be completed in late 2015 and the Day Care Centre would open in early 2016, both targets have been missed. The construction phase and the fit out and manning would normally be expected to be planned together so as to meet key milestones and thus not delay the opening, so clearly something has failed.
“Given that the 2015/16 budget estimates already made provision for £400,000 for the Day Care Facility and a further £ 400,000 for the contracting out of the Dementia Residential Facilities service why the slippage in what was already known to be a complex project? Have qualified staff been interviewed and recruited by the GHA and trained for the Dementia Day Care Facility and has a contract been awarded for the Dementia Residential Facility if so to whom and for how much? Has the earmarked money been spent or not, is the project within budget? My interest is in how public money is spent and ensuring those spending it are accountable to Parliament and the people, but Dr Cortes can rest assured I will be amongst the first to admire the opening of these long overdue facilities. In the meantime, out of respect and common decency, some answers to my questions, announcement of a firm opening date and the actual reasons for the delay is the very least Dr Cortes owes GADS, dementia patients and their carers.”
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