Alcohol and substance support organisation Adferiad held a public meeting on Friday to discuss plans to turn the former Blind Veterans center into a detox hospital.

Following concerns by some in the Craig-y-Don community, MS Janet Finch-Saunders said that the group had a long record of managing facilities professionally, and providing assistance to some of the most vulnerable people in society.

She urged residents to work with Adferiad and positively engage with their plans and consultations.

During the meeting it was explained that the aim is for the centre to become a detox hospital with 40 beds. All beds will be on the 1st and 2nd floors, with ancillary staff on the ground floor. The other buildings would be used for staff accommodation.

Patients would be coming for 10 – 14 days for medical treatment. They will be moved there by the Adferiad team or St John’s Ambulance.

The hospital will be staffed 24/7 with qualified staff providing care and managing the security functions. There would be doctors, nurses, grounds, catering staff, and more.

Adferiad made clear that there will be other opportunities for residents to ask questions, including outside of working hours. Details of the next meeting will be published in due course.

Commenting after the meeting, Mrs. Finch-Saunders said: “I welcome this first opportunity today for residents to learn more about the proposal and seek answers to questions.

“The last thing we want is for this magnificent building, founded as a convalescent home, to remain empty.

“I encourage any residents with questions to engage. Indeed, I know that Adferiad are eager to work positively with us all”.