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Current Consultation & Engagement: Barra and Vatersay Community Campus

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There are currently two separate major investment projects being proposed for Barra and Vatersay. Firstly, NHS Western Isles, in collaboration with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, is looking to replace the St. Brendan’s Hospital and Care Home; secondly, the Comhairle is looking to replace Castlebay and Eoligarry Schools.

The need for new health, learning and community facilities to replace the existing St Brendan's Hospital and social care housing, Castlebay Community School and Castlebay and Eoligarry Primaries will be a significant investment in public services for the Barra and Vatersay communities. The campus approach which has been adopted to deliver these services follows an extensive options appraisal exercise and engagement with key stakeholders and the local community.

The new Barra and Vatersay Community Campus will comprise early learning, primary school and secondary school facilities, social care housing, primary health centre, hospital, blue light facilities, community space and office space with associated parking, bus drop off and provision of external landscape and sports spaces in the Castlebay area of Barra on the site of the existing Castlebay Community School and land south of the A888. 

The vision is one of substantive, beneficial, long-term step change that places the islands and their citizens on a path to enhanced health, wellbeing and community resilience for the 21st century.  It will be a catalyst for change, and components of this vision include:

  • redesigned public services that reflect international best practice in how a small island community can be supported to achieve its potential
  • a campus that enables multi agency working to blur historic organisational and professional boundaries, placing the citizen at the heart of service delivery
  • changes in how citizens engage with public services, recognising their own responsibilities, to self and the community
  • a design that reflects island tradition and heritage, and acts as a destination for both islanders and visitors.

Both organisations recently collaborated with hubNorth Scotland Ltd to explore the feasibility of integrating health, social care, learning and community services and facilities on Barra and Vatersay and the provision of a single combined campus in Castlebay. 

Online Public Exhibition Opened

An on-line public exhibition for the proposed Barra and Vatersay Community Campus (BVCC) has been opened, which includes the first exhibition boards (Consultation Boards) below.

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Consultation Board 1
Consultation Board 2
Consultation Board 3
Consultation Board 4
Consultation Board 5
Consultation Board 6

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The project team has set up a website to provide background information and the developing design strategy for the proposal. The website also provides opportunities for the public to comment, which will be used to help guide and inform the design process. The website can be accessed at: https://bvcc.scot/ However, anyone who cannot get on-line access can telephone 01851 822656 for printed materials.

Discussion/consultation

On 10th December 2020 a series of Public Q&A Sessions were held to allow as many people as possible to have a say. The sessions featured a short presentation and the design team were available to answer questions.

The public were able to register for these sessions via the exhibition website or via: https://bvcc-preapplication-consultation.eventbrite.co.uk/

Documents and Guidance

Background

Click here to view our Background page. featuring options, documents and guidance, and other related information.

Four options were considered: 

Option 1: New-build integrated facility combining health, social care, learning and community facilities (including Comhairle services and Police Scotland) into a single campus 

Option 2: Integrated facility with retained elements from existing Castlebay School, e.g. Sports Hall, Swimming Pool and Reception area

Option 3: Standalone St Brendan’s Health and Social Care Hub by NHSWI on currently proposed site, and standalone school and community facilities by CnES on the existing school site

Option 4: Collaborative approach (NHSWI and CnES) to project development (design, procurement and construction) but on existing separate sites.

The Feasibility Study Report was published in October 2019 and considered at separate meetings of the Comhairle and of the NHSWI Board, both in November 2019.

The Comhairle agreed at a Meeting of The Comhairle – November 2019 that Option 1 be adopted as the preferred option and the NHSWI announced in Health Board Confirms Decision on Barra and Vatersay Community Campus – December 2019 its unanimous decision to accept Option 1B, comprising the principles set out in Option 1 but specifically including the closer adjacency of the Housing with Extra Care unit to the proposed health facilities by the realignment of the A888 road.

Work is currently ongoing with Scottish Government Health and Learning directorates and the Scottish Futures Trust to establish bespoke multi-agency project governance and management arrangements to take the project forward.  Engagement with other shareholders and stakeholders, including the wider public, will continue to be a priority for the Project Team who will continue to consult with and inform all relevant parties during all stages of this very important project.

Feasibility Study Report (October 2019)

Related Documents and Links