Health chiefs defend decision to close Fife end-of-life care unit

NHS: Controversial move causes storm in community with new protest planned

Patient care and safety was the top priority when an end-of-life care unit was earmarked for closure, Fife’s health and social care chiefs have insisted.

Nicky Connor, chief officer of the region’s integration joint board, has defended the decision to close the Wellesley Unit at Randolph Wemyss Memorial Hospital in Buckhaven, saying it had not been made lightly.

She said there had been no other option due to problems maintaining medical cover at the 10-bed ward.

The move, made without any public consultation, has caused a storm in the community and a protest outside the hospital on Tuesday will be followed by a petition and a motion urging Fife councillors to seek to overturn the move.

Labour councillors claim not enough has been done to secure alternative cover after a local GP practice said it could no longer undertake the work due to the pressures of Covid-19.

“Having explored all alternatives, we have no option but to close the unit.

DR HELEN HELLEWELL

However, the health and social care partnership said all options had been explored during extensive efforts and patient safety had to come first.

“Patient care and safety is our biggest single priority and it is crucial that we ensure we can deliver the best possible care in the right setting for every patient,” Ms Connor said.

“Over the past year there have been considerable ongoing challenges in maintaining safe medical staffing in the unit.

“The decision to close the unit hasn’t been taken lightly and has been based on clinical and professional guidance.

“We understand this is a difficult time for patients, their families and staff and I want to thank them for their understanding.”

Associate medical director Dr Helen Hellewell said: “Having explored all alternatives, we have no option but to close the unit.”

Alternative care is now being sought for older people who would otherwise have been cared for in the Wellesley Unit and it is understood staff have already been given redeployment packages.

Labour councillor Ryan Smart insisted more could have been done to find a doctor.

“This was done without any consultation with our community and we can’t let this stand,” he said.

Picture: Steve Brown. A protest against the closure of the Wellesley Unit at Buckhaven.