| However, an NHS Tayside senior manager said several options are being considered for the children looked after at Armitstead Child Development Centre.
Ken Armstrong said one option was alternative provision on the King’s Cross Hospital site in Dundee.
Earlier this week Dundee City Council identified housing as its preferred option for the development of the Armitstead site, renewing speculation about the future of the disabled children who attend the development centre.
The council has drawn up a planning brief as a guide for potential developers of the Armitstead site.
Health bosses have sought an alternative to Armitstead for years. The building is on several floors and has no lift, and has been deemed unsuitable for the care of severely disabled children.
“We need to move away from Armitstead and find a new home,” said Mr Armstrong. “We have got ideas King’s Cross could be a suitable place but there are three or four other options being considered.
“We are working with the planners to make sure what can be done with the Armitstead site and that is where we are at the moment.”
NHS Tayside’s forward planning has included reprovision of Armitstead in its capital plan for the financial year 2005/2006.
Mr Armstrong stressed these were just “indicative” plans and there was “nothing definite”.
In the past he has speculated that a developer might be offered the Broughty Ferry site in return for a purpose-built care centre elsewhere.
While that option has not been ruled out, no such developer has come forward as yet and such a suggestion has no part in the city council’s planning brief.
King’s Cross appears to be a reasonable option. There is already a single storey respite care centre for severely disabled children there.
Last year Scottish Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm officially opened Glenlaw House, created after a £500,000 investment in what was once the respiratory block at King’s Cross.
It offers short stays for severely disabled children, temporarily relieving families from round-the-clock care.
King’s Cross is now largely used for administrative purposes, with all in-patient wards long since transferred elsewhere.
A community therapy centre, open during the day, is also accommodated in existing buildings but the sprawling hospital site is not fully utilised. |
