A RETHINK is taking place to kickstart a faltering care service in Blackburn with Darwen as part of a flagship £12.5m project.

Less than half the beds in the intermediate care section at the borough council's Albion Mill complex are occupied, councillors have been told.

Now health chiefs are set to commission a single provider to offer nursing, care and therapy services to ensure the intermediate care service, seen as a key factor in tackling bed blocking at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General hospitals, works at full capacity.

In January opposition Conservatives labelled Albion Mill as 'not fit for purpose' after reported problems with the troubled complex.

Cllr Jackie Floyd, adult social care and health executive member, said in a report: "Since the intermediate care service opened in January 2022, it has been successful in mobilising a maximum of 50 per cent of the total rehabilitation placements available.

"In practice, this has resulted in only one of the two floors of the unit being utilised (13 suites and two apartments).

"This is due to a combination of difficulties relating to operationalising a new service within a new building and the complexities of working across several organisations.

"An alternative solution is required to ensure full utilisation of the scheme and subsequently the provision of sufficient high quality intermediate care provision to support the residents of the borough."

Councillors have been told the nursing and therapy elements of the service, currently provided by Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, and social care support, offered by the borough council, to a single provider.

Cllr Floyd adds in her report: " The proposal includes a phased approach to full implementation, commencing with the mobilisation of Floor 1 from December 2023.

"Phase 2 will include the opening of the remaining suites and the diversion of the discharge to assess pathway through Albion Mill.

"The lead commissioner for the whole service will be Lancashire & South Cumbria ICB, (which) currently commissions the nursing, therapy, clinical oversight and pharmacy elements of the existing model."

Council staff will also have to be consulted over any potential transfer to a new provider.

The Albion Mill development, which also offers extra-care facilities, has been dogged by setbacks since it opened eight years later than planned.

The main building contractor went bust in 2020, the overall project was delayed by the pandemic and then there were reported problems with a leaking roof.