A HOSPITAL site which dates back more than 150 years could be turned into ‘extra-care’ housing for the elderly.

East Lothian Council and NHS Lothian have been discussing the future of Herdmanflat Hospital in Haddington since 2017.

NHS Lothian facilities at the hospital are being transferred to the nearby East Lothian Community Hospital, which is being built on the site of the town’s former Roodlands Hospital.

Now, East Lothian Council wants to create extra-care housing – sometimes described as ‘assisted living’ or ‘very sheltered housing’ – at Herdmanflat Hospital.

A council spokeswoman confirmed that a deal was in place for the council to buy the site in two sections.

At the end of March, the council purchased the extensive grounds, with an agreement in place to buy the buildings once they become vacant in about October.

Any changes to the buildings and the open land on the site – which is used by dog walkers and for recreation by members of the public – would need to go through a detailed planning process and public consultation.

The council spokeswoman said: “Working closely with the Scottish Government, subsidy towards the acquisition of the grounds for the future development of housing was secured and work is now being undertaken in partnership to explore the potential future of the site.

“This provides an exciting opportunity to produce a model for extra-care housing that could be used elsewhere for the joint development of public assets, although its proximity to the new community hospital may allow for synergies that other sites may not have. The idea is that such a development could provide a form of flexible housing, which is fully digitally enabled with careful consideration given to future proofing through design, both inside and outside the home to provide a safe and healthy environment.

“This type of model would provide a home for life so residents would not have to move if their care needs change, because the building design and construction should be flexible and adaptable to accommodate an individual’s changing needs.”

The council spokeswoman added: “Improving care for older people is a long-standing area of policy focus.

“There is a commitment to developing a radically re-balanced model of care to deliver better outcomes for older people, and our younger adults with more complex needs, reflected in key policy and strategy documents.

“There is a commitment to shift the balance of care by maintaining provision of care home and NHS continuing care places and increasing intensive home support.

“East Lothian’s rapidly ageing population, particularly for households headed by someone aged 75 and over, will mean increased demand for health, housing and social care services.

“It is therefore important to explore solutions which can help prevent the need for hospital or other intensive healthcare services.

“Flexible homecare and creative adaptations and housing solutions will be part of the approach required to meet the demands of our ageing population.

“The site could offer further potential if the extra care component is carefully considered and, with the existing buildings transferring later, there is the potential to explore wider multi-generational care opportunities.”

Late last year, health and social care chiefs in the county agreed to replace Belhaven and Edington Hospitals, in Dunbar and North Berwick respectively, and The Abbey (North Berwick) and Eskgreen (Musselburgh) care homes with extra-care housing.

Extra-care housing is a step up from sheltered housing while still retaining a resident’s independence. In most cases, medical assistance is available 24 hour a day.

A hospital opened at Herdmanflat Farm in 1866 as Haddington District Asylum and was home to 138 patients by 1900. About £250,000 was spent by NHS Lothian on it in 2011 to transform it into a “one-stop shop for older people’s mental health services”.