FURY OVER WARD AXE
Families disgusted at treatment of vulnerable patients
Angry relatives were this week demanding health bureaucrats back down from killing off a hospital ward.
NHS bosses are intent on closing the beds at Ailsa Hospital in Ayr . . . and farming the residents out into private nursing homes.
Families are calling for “decency and compassion” and to cease the cull.
Alison Murray, daughter of the well- known Ayrshire sawmiller and fencer Graham Wotherspoon, now 78, said: “What they are trying to do is disgusting and ridiculous - the most vulnerable people are being picked on.”
Ayr MSP John Scott said: “The concerns I have had expressed to me over the potential for patients currently cared for within an NHS setting at the specialist Ailsa Hospital to be displaced from that familiar and specialist environment and relocated to what they understandably fear could be a less suitable setting, are entirely understandable.”
Angry relatives are demanding health bureaucrats back down from killing off a secure dementia ward.
NHS mandarins are intent on closing the beds at Ailsa Hospital in Ayr . . . and farming the residents out into private nursing homes.
Families are calling for “decency and compassion” and to cease the cull.
The eight remaining elderly patients at the Iona Lewis ward are among the most vulnerable in the care system and are completely reliant on constant help.
But NHS Ayrshire and Arran wants them all removed by March in a stealth plan revealed by the Ayrshire Post last week.
And Alison Murray, daughter of the well known Ayrshire sawmiller and fencer Graham Wotherspoon, now 78, said: “What they are trying to do is disgusting and ridiculous - the most vulnerable people are being picked on.
“We thought dad would die here.
“He was put in for end of life care, not to be thrown back into the nursing home system.”
And Alison, 50, a carer herself, vowed: “He will be going nowhere. End of life care residents should be going into palliative care from nursing home care, not the other way around.
“This is where we were told he would remain until he passes as he is a very fragile, frail and an ill man. We were also told his needs are far too complex for a nursing home two years ago.
“Iona is the flagship of excellence for end of life care for dementia and they should be striving to be building more of these units.”
Relatives have been reduced to tears at the planned axing of the historic unit, and only found out after asking a member of staff in the canteen.
Their only comfort is that the patients have no idea they are faced with flitting.
Last week NHS Ayrshire director Stephen Brown suggested patients would be shifted to the new Woodland View centre at Ayrshire Central Hospital in Irvine.
But in a letter to relatives dated the same day the Post asked NHS Ayrshire to comment, Ayrshire Central general manager William Lauder makes no mention of this.
Instead he says: “Iona/ Lewis is a unique provision within NHS Ayrshire and Arran cater for those from South and South- East Ayrshire, there is no similar provison for those from other areas, individuals with such needs typically being supported in nursing home type provision closer to their families.”
Mr Lauder will meet with relatives at the ward this Monday.
Ayr MSP John Scott said: “The concerns I have had expressed to me over the potential for patients currently cared for within an NHS setting at the specialist Ailsa Hospital to be displaced from that familiar and specialist environment and relocated to what they understandably fear could be a less suitable setting, are entirely understandable.
“Whatever plans are agreed for a reconfiguration of Elderly Mental Health inpatient services locally, I am calling for a guarantee from NHS Ayrshire and Arran that patients currently being cared for at the Ailsa Hospital will continue to receive their future care within an appropriate NHS setting.”