Push to save hospital ward
Fears for Douglas ward at Udston
Hundreds of people are backing a campaign to save the Douglas Ward at Udston Hospital.
Relatives of patients say NHS Lanarkshire are letting them down by announcing plans to close the ward at the Hamilton hospital.
The majority of the 30 beds are for elderly patients who are awaiting transfer to a nursing home or a package of homecare.
Douglas Ward is set to close in March 2018, but the proposal does not impact on the remaining wards at the hospital.
Anne-marie Boyle has a relative who has been in the Douglas Ward for nine years, and she says the news has been devastating for her family.
She said: “We are extremely concerned about this closure. My relative has been here for nine years and the care has been exceptional.
“They really go the extra mile and we just can’t understand how better care can be provided elsewhere. Where is the evidence?
“This will be detrimental to the patients, both emotionally and mentally.
“We have heard they want to move them to Stonehouse Hospital. The closure of Douglas would be a devastating loss to South Lanarkshire because once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”
The ward also has a small number of patients who receive continuing care or hospital based-complex care.
NHS Lanarkshire announced that as part of their Achieving Excellence strategy, they have reviewed the status of the Douglas Ward.
Relatives say the first they heard about the plans was in a newsletter two weeks ago, which said: “We believe therefore that we can provide more appropriate care for the majority of patients within either their own home or community settings.”
Families have spoken highly about the standard of care at the Douglas Ward and say that it should be kept open – and they have even created a petition which has generated over 600 signatures. Christina Mckelvie – the MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse – said: “The closure of the ward is one of deep concern to my constituents, and I thank each and every one of them for contacting me.
“Whilst the majority of patients upon the ward are awaiting home care packages to continue their care within the community, there are unanswered concerns about those who still require hospital treatment.
“What we need from NHS Lanarkshire is a clear and wellcommunicated consultation which involves all stakeholders, putting staff, patients and my constituents first and foremost.
“Any investigation regarding a transfer of care would have to be centred on patient safety as an utmost priority.
“I would ask that a consultation is transparent, open and inclusive of all stakeholders.”
Marianne Hayward, head of health and social care for South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership (H&SCP), said: “The Scottish Government Health and Social Care delivery plan, the Health and Social Care Partnership strategic commissioning plan and NHS Lanarkshire’s healthcare strategy Achieving Excellence set out the need to deliver more care for patients in community settings. These strategies were produced in line with national policy and following public consultation.
“We are now looking at how we can implement this vision and part of this work has involved a review of services on the Douglas Ward in Udston.
“The use of the ward has changed over the years.
“While some patients are in the ward to receive complex care that can only be provided in a hospital, the majority of patients are either awaiting transfer to a nursing home or a package of care to allow them to safely return home.
“We believe therefore that we can provide more appropriate care for the majority of patients within either their own homes or community settings.
“The Integrated Joint Board of the partnership supported the proposal to step-down the use of the ward as more suitable care is identified for patients, with a view to the ward closing by the end of March 2018.
“The resources saved from the closure will transfer to the H&SCP to help provide more community-based care for patients in the future.
“I know that this is a very anxious time for staff, patients and their families.
“We are meeting with staff and patients individually over the coming months and will work with them to identify the best alternatives for moving forward.”