Fears grow over hospital ward
Doubts over future leave community concerned
Fears have been expressed over the future of the dementia ward at Crieff Community Hospital.
Several concerned locals contacted the Herald this week claiming to have heard unconfirmed “rumblings” that Ward 1 of the King Street medical centre was due to be closed as part of a move by NHS Tayside towards a more community- based care model.
One caller, who did not wish to be named, said the ward could cease to function in its current format by the end of March next year.
Another source, who also wished to remain anonymous, accused the regional health board of adopting “sneaky” tactics and alleged a lack of public consultation.
The Herald put the callers’ concerns to an NHS Tayside spokesperson on Wednesday morning this week.
In a statement Robert Packham, chief officer for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, said the Strath capital medical premises was “under review”.
He explained: “Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership is currently reviewing and redesigning communitybased services in line with national and local strategies. The Dementia Assessment Ser vice provided within Crieff Ward 1 is part of this review.
“In the last three years Dementia Assessment Services provided within community hospitals in the north of Perthshire have gone through similar reviews and have successfully transferred from hospital- based service provision to providing dementia assessment care within the person’s own home.
“Our priority is getting the right services in the right place for our dementia patients. Over the past year, Ward 1 at Crieff Community Hospital has admitted on average two patients per month.
“We are determined to continue to provide the most appropriate dementia services for the Crieff area and surrounding communities and we will look to provide the most clinically-effective care with the best outcomes for patients and their families.
“Patients should be reassured, however, that if their doctor decides that they need an inpatient dementia assessment they will be admitted to an appropriate setting for that initial assessment and an ongoing care plan would be put in place.
“A meeting, attended by managers and staff representatives, has been held with staff in the unit to discuss the ongoing review process.
“A full consultation and engagement process involving staff and the wider community will begin in the new year.”