Ward at hospital closed

A NURSING staff shortage has led to the closure of a learning disability ward at a Tayside hospital.

Patients were moved from the Craigowl ward, at Strathmartine, t o t wo other areas of the hospital’s learning disability service unit on Wednesday but health bosses have rejected claims of a lack of communication or consultation over what has been branded a “bombshell” decision.

The mixed-sex ward is a behavioural support and intervention unit for adults who display distressed behaviours and a source said there were fears for patients over the impact of the move.

A health source said: “This has come out of the blue and both staff and patients are unhappy about it.

“It is a different setting and is going to be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of the patients.”

A spokesman for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, which is responsible for the move, said: “Patient safety remains our priority.

“This is an interim operational decision in response to a shortage of learning disability nursing staff.

“We understand that this move may be upsetting for patients, families and carers and we will continue to work with them to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible, with minimal disruption to patients.” DOUGL AS mum Steph Hogg is raising money by taking part in this year’s Kiltwalk – and is making it a family affair.

She wants to raise cash for Glasgow’s Ronald McDonald House after staying there when her baby son Paul suffered a series of illnesses.

Steph, 26, is being joined by her partner, mum and children in the event’s six-mile Wee Wander.

She explained that little Paul, now nine months old, was diagnosed during her pregnancy with absent ductus venosus, a rare vascular anomaly.

That resulted in him having an enlarged heart, taking up 50% of his chest, while fluid started to build up around his body. He was also born seven weeks premature.

Steph, an IT technician with the NHS, said: “Paul was diagnosed after 28 weeks so that’s why we were sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Glasgow.

“We all ended up staying at Ronald McDonald House for five months while he was getting treatment in intensive care.