South London residential home Nightingale House is easing the pressure on NHS waiting lists by giving over unused space on its Clapham site for an independent unit administered by St George’s Hospital.

As well as furthering Nightingale’s relationship with the Tooting hospital, the arrangement will generate income towards the £25 million redevelopment of the charity’s other home, Hammerson in north London, on which building work will start in early 2017.

The St George’s unit is for patients over the age of 65 who have had their hospital treatment but, for whatever reason, cannot immediately return home, or take up a place in a care establishment. St George’s provides all medical care; Nightingale the catering, cleaning and other support services. The kosher food was proving popular with patients, said Nightingale Hammerson chief executive Helen Simmons, who added that the unit was “absolutely self-contained” and had no impact on the running of the home, or on its residents.
Space had become available because of the transfer of residents to Nightingale’s new Ronson wing.
St George’s made the initial approach, and although the first agreement is for six months, the hospital is interested in a longer commitment. “They thought that compared to a hospital ward, the facilities were fantastic,” Ms Simmons said.

“The feedback from patients is that they are finding it more peaceful than hospital.”
To date there had been no Jewish patients. “If there were, we could encourage them to make Nightingale their care home. We can do this with St George’s because we are focusing on Hammerson and don’t desperately need the space at the moment.

“If it goes brilliantly, then maybe for that two-year period we can raise some money and help the local community.

“Proceeds go to reserves which, in turn, contribute to the Hammerson development. So it will help keep Nightingale Hammerson as special as we like to think we are.”
Executive vice-president and former long-serving Nightingale chief Leon Smith said that in addition to the major building work at Hammerson, two floors at Nightingale would, at some point, require refurbishing and reconfiguration as the rooms and bathrooms were too small and there was insufficient communal space.
“We are talking about £5 million per floor. If we wanted to refurbish the main building, that would be £3 million. So at some stage we have a £13 million commitment on this site.

“Once we have the first bricks laid at Hammerson, we can start thinking about it.”

Mr Smith added: “While our balance sheet looks strong, so much of that is going to be needed for redevelopment. Not only do we need improved accommodation because of the physical needs of the residents. Expectations change. Doing nothing is not an option. If we don’t invest, people won’t want to come into the homes.”

He estimated that £15 million of the £25 million allocated for the Hammerson rebuild would come from reserves. Of the remainder, £4 million has been raised from the community.
For the potential Nightingale refurbishment, he anticipated a £9 million contribution from reserves.