Channel House To Become 60-Bed Care Facility
Channel House will be converted into a “Government-operated care facility with dedicated space for medically fit-for-discharge patients,” the government announced today, adding that it “will add approximately 60 beds” which is a “meaningful increase in community capacity that will relieve pressure on the emergency department, improve patient flow, and support families.”
Speaking at a press conference today, Minister of Housing and Municipalities Zane DeSilva said, “I am pleased to announce that the Government has decided to proceed with the redevelopment of Channel House for a significant public purpose.
“The property, owned by the Bermuda Land Management Corporation, will be converted into a BHB-operated facility that will provide approximately 60 beds, together with dedicated service and amenity space that will support Government’s broader housing and healthcare objectives.”
The Minister added that the proposed redevelopment of the building, which is located in St David’s, will involve the conversion of the building with the Ministry of Housing and Municipalities to “oversee all aspects of project delivery” and funding “for the redevelopment will be provided through the Bermuda Housing Corporation, with funding already earmarked for the project.”
Minister of Health Kim Wilson said, “Government is moving ahead with the redevelopment of Channel House into a Government-operated care facility with dedicated space for medically fit-for-discharge patients.
“Right now, acute beds at KEMH are consistently occupied by individuals who no longer require hospital-level care but have nowhere appropriate to go.
“This creates pressure across the hospital — from emergency department wait times to the ability of clinical teams to move patients through assessment, treatment, and recovery.
“Channel House will serve as a transitional care facility that will support the transfer of patients who are medically fit for discharge from the acute care setting.
“Channel House will add approximately 60 beds — a meaningful increase in community capacity that will relieve pressure on the emergency department, improve patient flow, and support families who have been waiting for stable placement options.
“The Government will operate the facility through collaborative programmes between the Department of Health and KEMH, ensuring continuity of care and strong clinical oversight.
“Sixty beds will make a meaningful difference, but they are part of a broader, ongoing strategy to expand capacity and ensure that our seniors receive care in the most appropriate setting.”
Minister DeSilva remarks:
Good morning, everyone.
Thank you for being here today.
I am pleased to announce that the Government has decided to proceed with the redevelopment of Channel House for a significant public purpose.
The property, owned by the Bermuda Land Management Corporation, will be converted into a BHB-operated facility that will provide approximately 60 beds, together with dedicated service and amenity space that will support Government’s broader housing and healthcare objectives.
Before discussing the project itself, I would like to clarify that Channel House is owned by the Bermuda Land Management Corporation, and the Corporation has made the property available to Government to support this important initiative.
Many will recall that in 2023, Government issued a request for proposals to determine whether a suitable private-sector solution could be identified for the site.
That process provided valuable information and allowed us to assess market interest and possible delivery models. A number of credible concepts were explored, including proposals that would have supported private-sector demand and delivered value through traditional commercial arrangements.
However, as Government’s discussions with the Ministry of Health progressed, it became clear that Channel House presented a unique opportunity to address a pressing public need while making effective use of an existing public asset.
Government therefore concluded that the greatest public benefit could be achieved through a partnership between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Housing and Municipalities, enabling the site to support healthcare and long-term care objectives that might not otherwise be met through a commercial development model.
Channel House is an existing Government asset in an appropriate location and presents an opportunity to deliver an important piece of social infrastructure within a reasonable timeframe. Rather than allowing the property to remain underutilized, Government has determined that it should be repurposed to meet a clearly identified public need.
From a project perspective, the proposed redevelopment will involve the conversion of the building to create approximately 60 beds together with the supporting facilities and infrastructure required for safe and effective operation.
The Ministry of Housing and Municipalities will oversee all aspects of project delivery, including planning, procurement, design development and construction.
Work will proceed in phases. The immediate focus will be the completion of procurement activities and the engagement of the appropriate professional and construction teams. Following that, detailed design work, construction and fit-out activities will commence, with key milestones communicated publicly as the project progresses.
Funding for the redevelopment will be provided through the Bermuda Housing Corporation, with funding already earmarked for the project. .
I look forward to working closely with my colleague, the Minister of Health, as this project moves forward.
With that, I will invite Minister Wilson to discuss the health and long-term care needs that this facility is being designed to address.
Minister Wilson’s remarks:
Good morning.
Today’s announcement represents a major step forward in strengthening Bermuda’s health system and ensuring that people receive care in the right setting.
As the Minister of Housing has outlined, Government is moving ahead with the redevelopment of Channel House into a Government-operated care facility with dedicated space for medically fit-for-discharge patients.
I want to speak directly about why this investment is urgently needed and how it will improve patient flow across the entire system.
Right now, acute beds at KEMH are consistently occupied by individuals who no longer require hospital-level care but have nowhere appropriate to go. In many cases, this does not mean that a family is unwilling to have their loved one return home; rather, there may be practical barriers that need to be addressed before a safe transition can occur.
For example, a family may need time to complete minor home renovations, such as installing ramps or other accessibility modifications to allow their loved one to move safely around the home.
They may also be waiting to purchase or arrange for necessary medical equipment, or they may be awaiting an appropriate long-term care option within the community. Until these supports are in place, the individual may remain in an acute hospital bed despite no longer requiring acute hospital-level care.
This creates pressure across the hospital — from emergency department wait times to the ability of clinical teams to move patients through assessment, treatment, and recovery.
Channel House will serve as a transitional care facility that will support the transfer of patients who are medically fit for discharge from the acute care setting.
It will provide short-term care and rehabilitation services to help individuals regain independence and prepare for a safe and successful return home or to another appropriate care setting.
This is why the additional care beds at Channel House are so critical. Bermuda has faced a shortage of appropriate long-term care beds for years, and this facility directly addresses that gap.
The conversion of Channel House will add approximately 60 beds — a meaningful increase in community capacity that will relieve pressure on the emergency department, improve patient flow, and support families who have been waiting for stable placement options.
Government carefully evaluated alternatives, including the smaller 30-bed concept at MWI. After detailed review, Channel House emerged as the faster, more sustainable, and more suitable option.
These services are essential for seniors and medically vulnerable individuals who need structured support before returning home or transitioning into long-term care.
The Government will operate the facility through collaborative programmes between the Department of Health and KEMH, ensuring continuity of care and strong clinical oversight.
Operational funding has already been allocated in the last budget, and this project aligns with our long-term strategy to reduce BHB’s footprint in long-term care and strengthen community-based services.
Sixty beds will make a meaningful difference, but they are part of a broader, ongoing strategy to expand capacity and ensure that our seniors receive care in the most appropriate setting.
Channel House is a timely, practical, and necessary intervention. It will ease pressure on our hospital, improve patient experience, and strengthen the continuum of care for the entire community.
Thank you.
