EXTRA BEDS TO FIGHT DEADLY VIRUS
A new Covid- 19 ward has been created at a hospital in Prestwick.
The 30- bed ward at the Biggart Hospital is there for patients who are recovering from coronavirus before they return home. The area of the hospital has been specifically refurbished to care for people with the virus.
It is ready to go but has no workers based there yet – as it is on standby for potential demand for additional beds.
Tim Eltringham, Director of the South Ayrshire Health & Social Care said the “30 bedded ward at Biggart Hospital has been refurbished and made ready for use but has not yet been staffed because to date, it has not been required.”
It would provide ‘ step down’ beds for people with coronavirus who no longer need oxygen for example.
A stroke ward has also been relocated from Ayr hospital to Biggart.
The move has been made to ease pressure on Ayr to allow staff to handle Covid- 19 admissions.
Mr Eltringham said: “South Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership ( HSCP) has been working hard to prepare for the pressures anticipated due to the Covid- 19 virus.
“Preparations have included providing additional bed capacity in the community. A 28 bedded stroke rehabilitation ward was moved from University Hospital Ayr to Biggart Hospital in Prestwick to help UHA in their preparations.”
More beds have also been made ready in South Lodge Care Home in Ayr – with a previously unused top floor opened up.
Sadly the Racecourse Road council- owned home has recorded a case of coronavirus.
Councillor Brian McGinley, chairman of the South Ayrshire Integration Joint Board said: “We have opened up bed capacity elsewhere. Capacity is being built into the system and people are getting out of hospital.”