Blossom House, Belhaven
Blossom House Nursing Home, West Barns, is based in a semi-rural setting in the grounds of Belhaven Hospital. The home can accommodate 23 residents. Although the nursing home is owned by East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, it is run by NHS nursing staff.
All facilities are on the ground floor and each bedroom is a single room with an en-suite toilet and hand basin. There are shared lounge and dining areas. The Haven Café offers residents a place to relax, chat and enjoy activities from the two on site activity co-ordinators.
If you would like to know more about the care home you should contact your Social Work Department or alternatively you can contact the care home manager directly. You can also arrange to visit the home directly if you wish.
Care Home Manager: Jackie Little call 01368 862246 (Option 1)
Belhaven Hospital / Blossom House Nursing Home Maintenance Works Updates
10 February 2023
Ward 1: Blossom House
In our previous update to you, we were delighted to confirm that the residents of Blossom House were set to be making a return to Dunbar on Wednesday 18 January. The move from East Lothian Community Hospital back to Belhaven was an extremely joyful one, which each resident being welcomed back to Blossom House with open arms and a personal fanfare. You can watch a short video of their arrival here YouTube: Blossom House residents return.
Each of the residents have very quickly settled into their refurbished surroundings, and are thrilled to be back home, and are especially enjoying the new bath! Take a video tour here (YouTube: Blossom House Refurbishments)
Ward 3: GP Led Medical Unit
As detailed previously, the remedial works within Ward 3 are significantly less extensive than in Ward 1’s building. The contractors started work in Ward 3 at the beginning of January, and have already replaced the basins and taps in each of the patient rooms and toilets.
The new water tank and booster are being fitted, and the bathrooms have had their tiles replaced with wet-walls panels – same as Ward 1. There is still some joinery work to be completed, and following this, the entire building will undergo the necessary disinfection treatments and rounds of water compliance testing. The team are (quietly) confident, that we could be looking at patients returning to Ward 3 before the end of March, providing there are sufficient staffing levels to support this move.
Ward 2: Administrative Hub
While the water testing is completed in Ward 3, our attention will then focus on the final stages of this project, Ward 2 and the external water access points. As the primary use of this facility is now for administration, the remedial works required in this building are focused on removing elements of the plumbing framework no longer required, as well as completing a full disinfection and water compliance testing.
Although timescales are currently speculative, it is our aim to have all remedial works completed at Belhaven prior to Easter.
As always, we thank everyone involved with Belhaven for their patience and understanding as we complete these necessary maintenance works and upgrades. We will continue to keep you updated of the site’s progress.
13 January 2023
We appreciate that it has been some time since our last Belhaven update, however we are delighted to confirm our residents will be returning to Blossom House next Wednesday 18 January.
With the maintenance works and refurbishments now complete, we’re also pleased to show you some of the new fixture and fittings in place.
The boiler, water heater and tanks are all in, the brand new hi-lo baths were being fitting this week, as was the new flooring. The specialist teams are carrying out the final revised water sampling tests and we’ve commenced the extensive deep clean before welcoming our residents back to Blossom House.
We created a video to show residents and family members what Blossom House looks like now following the upgrades. This can be viewed on YouTube here: Belhaven Blossom House Jan 2023 - YouTube
20 December 2022
We appreciate that it has been some time since our last Belhaven update, however as the remedial works have been progressing we are now in a position to show you some of the finished upgrades.
We are currently awaiting the arrival of the brand new bath, and new flooring is being fitted this week. With the new boiler, water heater and tanks all in place, our next and final stages are to carry out revised water sampling tests and an extensive deep clean before welcoming our residents back to Blossom House mid-January.
Throughout December, the residents have enjoyed a wide range of fantastic festive activities, including a visit to Dunbar to see the festive lights, and enjoy a fish supper. Welcoming musical guests to the ward, festive quizzes, festive crafts and decoration making, Christmas movies with hot chocolate, mulled wine and mince pies sing-along with relatives and of course the annual outing to the Pantomime at the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh.
We’re also pleased to now have a confirmed schedule of works for Ward 3. The remedial actions required in this ward are significantly less extensive that those in Ward 1’s building, and will commence the first week in January. We will continue to provide further updates as these works progress.
Once again, we would like to offer our sincere thanks to patients, relatives, and our staff for their patience, understanding and considerable efforts while these works have taken place.
We are very much looking forward to welcoming our residents back in the New Year, and we thoroughly hope that everyone is pleased with the fantastic work that has been done to significantly invest and upgrade Belhaven’s Blossom House.
23 November 2022
The remedial works continue to progress at Belhaven Hospital. A brand new plant room has been installed within Ward 1, complete with a new water tank and booster, which will provide enhanced water pressure throughout the building. A new shower room has also been installed and the team on site are in the process of installing the new bathroom, with easy lift bath. Again this will be of significant benefit to both residents and staff when assisting individuals in and out of the bath.
Furthermore, external surveys have been completed on Ward 3, and the team is refining the schedule of works planned for this area of the hospital. This will commence as works in Ward 1 come to a finish.
To date, we are still on track for moving residents back to Blossom House in mid-January. The Belhaven Team at East Lothian Community Hospital are in the process of coordinating a festive activity programme, which will include external trips to the Panto, and other excursions, as they have enjoyed previously. All residents and family members are being kept informed on progress at the Belhaven site and have shown incredible understanding and gratitude to the Belhaven Team for keeping their family members entertained and engaged in their temporary setting at East Lothian Community Hospital.
We will continue to provide further updates in due course.
7 November 2022
Following our last update we are pleased to confirm that the remedial works at Belhaven Hospital are progressing well. There are a number of contractors on site working through the extensive programme of works throughout Ward 1, Blossom House.
Due to the age and nature of the building, we have come across some issues that need to be resolved to allow some of the remedial work to take place. This was anticipated, however we were unable to predict the extent required until the works got fully underway. We are already in the process of addressing these issues, however they regrettably have meant an extension to the project timescales.
Taking into consideration the requirement for additional work to be undertaken and the contractors recess at the end of December, we are currently planning to move residents back to Blossom Homes in early-mid January. We recognise that this will be disappointing for residents and family members, however our teams are actively arranging a variety of events to allow residents to enjoy a wide range of activities throughout the festive period, as they would do normally.
We are also aware that a number of community groups continue to access the gardens. While our schedule of works will include the outdoor areas, our priority and focus is on upgrading the Patient Care Areas first to allow residents to return as soon as possible.
We will continue to provide further updates as the works progress.
10 October 2022
Over the last few weeks, the water assessments across the full Belhaven site have been completed and ELHSCP and NHS Lothian have received the assessment report from our specialist contractors advising of the remedial works required. We are now finalising the action plan, which as previously mentioned will initially focus on Ward 1, Blossom House to allow residents to return as soon as possible.
The remedial works required across the site are extensive, however once complete will provide a significantly improved facility for the benefit of both residents and staff. Once all of the works have been completed, the water system will undergo final verification and compliance assessments in line with government regulation standards.
The necessary materials to complete these works are expected to arrive shortly. Estimated timescales to complete the works remain at approximately 2 months. However, this may be subject to change once the remedial works are underway, especially given the age of the Belhaven site.
The team are committed to doing everything we possibly can to allow residents to return to Blossom House as soon as feasibly possible. We again would like to thank the patients, family members and community user groups for their continued patience and understanding, and our Belhaven team for their continued commitment to caring for their patients in alternative surroundings.
5 September 2022
Our investigations into the water quality at Belhaven are continuing. As mentioned in last week’s update, this is a lengthy process, which takes time in order to meet the necessary legislation and guidance. The team onsite are currently focussing their efforts on Ward 1 to ensure safe reopening for residents of Blossom House in the timeliest manner.
We fully appreciate that residents, family members, staff and the local community are eager for timescale indications. Current estimates indicate the remedial works may take a minimum of two months to conclude. This has not be confirmed, and may be subject to change once the investigations are complete and the remedial works get underway.
Belhaven Garden Access
A number of queries have been made about access to the Belhaven Garden by local community groups.
NHS Lothian and East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership have a duty of care to all visitors that come onto the Belhaven premises. While our investigations continue and remedial works get underway, on the advice of NHS Lothian to protect Public Health we have taken the decision to close off the water supply to the garden. This means that the hose pipe tap in no longer in use, and the toilets accessed via the Haven Café are closed.
We fully appreciate how much time and effort has gone into developing the garden area, as well as the numerous wellbeing benefits provided to those who access and work in the garden. However we have to be mindful that Belhaven Hospital is currently an active contractor site and we must take into consideration the safety of all individuals on the premises.
Subsequently at this moment in time:
- we are willing to provide access for existing community group users to the garden only
- community groups must not venture near the hospital buildings
- access to the garden can only be gained via the gate at the road of Belhaven Hospital
- please remember, there will be no access to water facilities within the garden area
- additionally as remedial works get underway, this position may change
As previously, we will continue to keep all parties updated as the works continue.
26 August 2022
All patients from Belhaven Hospital, currently located at East Lothian Community Hospital, remain well and are settled into their temporary accommodation. Patients, their families and staff continue to receive progress updates on the works taking place to resolve the ongoing water issues at Belhaven.
In compliance with current UK legislation and guidance the investigations in the water quality at Belhaven continue to progress. This includes collecting water samples from every outlet at regular intervals, which are then analysed by a contracted specialist water quality company over several days. It is a lengthy process, which takes time, but is necessary both to meet legislation, and ensure safe reopening of the impacted wards.
Once all investigations are complete, a comprehensive plan covering all actions required will be developed and implemented. It is our absolute intention to move all patients and residents back to Belhaven Hospital & Blossom House, as soon as it is possible to do so.
This is very much a multi-agency collaborative approach, and we are collectively working hard to minimise the length of time residents, patients and staff are affected by the water quality issue. Assuring the safety of all these groups remains our top priority. We will continue to provide updates for patients, residents, relatives, staff and key stakeholders, including how long it will take for all required work to be completed.
19 August 2022
NHS Lothian and ELHSCP can confirm that all patients and staff from Belhaven Community Hospital and Blossom House have been safely transferred to East Lothian Community Hospital.
Family members are able to (and have been) visiting relatives at the hospital, who are settling in to their new surroundings. The Care Inspectorate have also visited the Hospital and are satisfied with all measures that have been put in place to care for patients.
At the Belhaven site, investigations into the water quality issues are progressing, but are still ongoing. Once complete a comprehensive plan covering all actions required will be developed and implemented in advance of residents and patients moving back to the site.
Timescales are an unknown at present, however we are working hard to minimise the length of time residents, patients and staff are affected by this issue.
In the meantime, we will continue to provide updates for patients, residents, relatives, staff and key stakeholders.
12 August 2022
NHS Lothian and ELHSCP can confirm that all patients and staff from Belhaven Community Hospital and Blossom House have been safely transferred to East Lothian Community Hospital.
Family members are able to (and have been) visiting relatives at the hospital, who are settling in to their new surroundings. The Care Inspectorate have also visited the Hospital and are satisfied with all measures that have been put in place to care for patients.
At the Belhaven site, investigations into the water quality issues are progressing, but are still ongoing. Once complete a comprehensive plan covering all actions required will be developed and implemented in advance of residents and patients moving back to the site.
Timescales are an unknown at present, however we are working hard to minimise the length of time residents, patients and staff are affected by this issue.
In the meantime, we will continue to provide updates for patients, residents, relatives, staff and key stakeholders.
9 August 2022
As part of robust building management, monitoring and hygiene control measures, bacteria have been found to be affecting a small number of taps at Belhaven Hospital. No patients or staff are unwell as a consequence of this issue.
East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership are working closely with NHS Lothian and taking all steps required by current UK legislation and Guidance to ensure that patients, visitors and staff are not placed at any increased risk of harm from the hospital environment.
It has been necessary to temporarily move a small number of patients to East Lothian Community Hospital to allow additional cleaning, disinfection and flushing of these items in accordance with national guidance. The patients and their family members were all advised about the temporary transfer, and were incredibly grateful to the team for their swift action and response.
As soon as all of the necessary steps are completed, patients will return to Belhaven Hospital.