Psychiatric ward 24 is re-located to Wishaw

Concerns over public transport for patients and staff

Monklands Hospital adult inpatient psychiatry ward 24 has relocated to Wishaw General.

The plan to uproot patients and staff was announced just six weeks ago and the move across North Lanarkshire took place on Monday.

Fears had been raised that the relocation would make it more difficult for families to visit patients, while also making it almost impossible for some staff who rely on public transport to travel to work.

Around 30 staff were set to be affected by the switch, but after a “formal HR process” NHS Lanarkshire state they were able to successfully meet the “majority” of employees’ location preferences.

There will be no reduction to the overall bed numbers within the current mental health estate of NHS Lanarkshire, according to a spokesperson, but the adult in-patient psychiatry ward will drop from 24 beds to 23.

The controversial shake- up will also see the dementia ward in Wishaw move to Monklands Hospital.

The new ward 24 team will remain in Wishaw on a “temporary basis” until the refurbishment work at Monklands is completed next month.

The plan is seen as a way of help the NHS deal with dropping numbers of junior doctors, and considered consistent with the modernisation of mental health services.

Margaret Serrels, service manager for mental health and learning disability services, thanked families and staff for their support during the transfer.

“I would like to express my appreciation to all ward 24 patients and their families for their patience and co-operation during the transfer,” she stated.

“I would also like to thank all our staff for their support during this time and the support they provided to patients during the transfer.

“Some refurbishment and adaptation work to ward 24 is now set to get underway to create a more dementia- specific environment, before the transfer of ward three patients from Wishaw General to ward 24. This is expected to take place in September once the work is complete.”

Move Some psychiatric services at Monklands Hospital, Airdrie have been moved to Wishaw