New couples’ ward inaugurated at St Vincent de Paul residence

10 couples with a high dependenacy on long-term care will be housed within a new “couples’ ward” inaugurated on Monday by Justyne Caruana, Parliamentary Secretary for Active Ageing.

The ward, which will be attended by doctors, nurses, carers and other professionals 24 hours a day, had last been refurbished more than 30 years ago.

Caruana said the aim of the project was to provide a modern care and support environment that was also designed like a traditional house, in a bid to improve the quality of life of elderly persons in the facility.

She said that all services, including electricity and water systems had to be upgraded to bring them up to accepted modern standards, with all work – including restructing and refurbishment – being completed within six weeks.

“This was only possible because of the full commitment of various sections within St Vincent de Paul,” Caruana said. “We’ve witnessed a widespread mobilisation of workers over the past six weeks.”

Teams of electricians, plumbers, builders, plasterers, painters, woodworkers, aluminium installers, seamstresses and cleaners were ably directed by the residence’s management, supported by technical experts.

The ward features a terrace and roof garden, where residents can spend time with staff or visitors, as well as the inclusion of a kitchenette and small living area in each room.

Additional service rooms like a central kitchen, sluice room and utilities rooms were installed within the ward.

The full cost of the refurbishment, including materials, totalled €500,000.