CRIEFF WARD READY TO AID VIRUS FIGHT
Former dementia wing considered
Healthcare bosses have said the former dementia ward at Crieff Community Hospital is being prepared to play its part in the nation’s efforts to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
A spokesperson for the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership confirmed to the Herald Ward 1 at the King Street facility is being mobilised with a view to being used by elderly people needing support “after recovery” from Covid-19.
The dementia ward closed in 2017 and has subsequently been used by local groups.
The spokesperson confirmed: “Crieff Ward 1 and the Atholl unit [in Pitlochry] are currently being prepared as part of the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership mobilisation plan, in order to provide additional rehabilitation beds for elderly people needing support after recovery from Covid-19.
“This is in the planning phase and will be opened as demand arises and staffing is available.”
Local MSP Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am pleased that spare local capacity within the health service is being prepared to be brought back into use at this very difficult time.”
A mothballed ward at Crieff Community Hospital is being mobilised in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the Herald can reveal.
A spokesperson for the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership this week confirmed plans are afoot to use Ward 1 for elderly people needing support “after recovery” from Covid-19.
Previously dedicated to those living with dementia before closing in 2017, the ward at the King Street facility has been subsequently used by local support groups – although not on a full- time basis.
The spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership this week told the Herald: “Crieff Ward 1 and the Atholl unit [in Pitlochry] are currently being prepared as part of the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership mobilisation plan, in order to provide additional rehabilitation beds for elderly people needing support after recovery from Covid-19.
“This is in the planning phase and will be opened as demand arises and staffing is available.”
Perthshire South and Kinross-shire MSP Roseanna Cunningham was among many to welcome the news.
The Crieff- based SNP politician said: “I am pleased that spare local capacity within the health service is being prepared to be brought back into use at this very difficult time.
“As the stage we are at in experiencing and responding to the effects of this virus changes, so the provision of services will change and adapt to that changing situation.
“I know that if Ward 1 at Crieff Community Hospital is required, then the patients treated there will receive the very best of care.”
Roz McCall, a Conservative elected member for Perth and Kinross Council’s Strathearn ward, said she was “pleased” by the decision.
She added: “In times like these we have to use all available resources and make the process work for the NHS and for local people.
“The NHS is made up of some of the most dedicated and selfless people and I’m just glad that we have a facility in Crieff they will be able to utilise during this difficult time.”
SNP ward councillor Stewart Donaldson declared: “Understandably, at this stage in the crisis there is and has to be a clear focus on ventilators, on testing, and on the need to protect frontline staff – both in the NHS and in social care.
“However, I very much welcome the news that Ward 1 at Crieff Hospital is being prepared to provide additional rehabilitation beds.
“Sadly, there will be more fatalities. Yet the clear majority of those who even have serious symptoms will, with the right levels of care, make it through.
“Let’s not forget that. What we have to ensure is that for those people, especially the elderly, or those with serious underlying conditions, they can also make a full and, I hope, speedy recovery, so that they are once again back as fully part of our communities.
“The need for these rehabilitation beds in Ward 1 may not be immediate, although that could easily change over the next 10 days, but in terms of forward planning it’s exactly the right thing to do.
“I compliment the health authorities on the action they are taking here.”
Independent local councillor Rhona Brock hoped that there would be sufficient staff to tend to patients if the beds had to be used.
This was echoed by Harry Thomason, chair of Crieff Community Council.
Councillor Brock said: “In the unprecedented times that we are in with the pandemic of Covid- 19, it comes with some relief and reassurance to hear that Crieff Community Hospital Ward 1 is being prepared to provide additional rehabilitation beds for the elderly that would be requiring the support needed after recovery from Covid-19.
“This gives families some reassurances that they can be near their loved ones and are being provided with the care that they require closer to home.
“I trust that the staffing can be found to enable this to happen and the care can be provided as quickly as it can.
“Crieff Community Hospital is an asset to Crieff and the surrounding areas and it is in times like these that I am extremely grateful that we have this facility on our doorstep.”
Mr Thomason commented: “Let’s hope they can get the staff.
“They are having to bring in former and retired health care workers everywhere at the moment to help with this dreadful situation.
“However, it is good news about Ward 1.
“I’m glad they have recognised its potential and that many people can be helped as a result.”