Staffing shortage closes down mental health ward

NHS: Patients and staff moved as recruitment proves ‘increasingly difficult’

An NHS Grampian facility has been forced to close its doors because of continuing staff shortages in Aberdeen.

The Brodie Ward, which treats adults with mental health conditions at the city’s Royal Cornhill Hospital, will shut tomorrow.

Patients will be relocated while health chiefs attempt to hire more staff to run the unit.

The existing staff and patients at the Brodie Ward, which is not at full capacity, will be transferred across the remaining five wards in the hospital.

Staff members were told about the situation in a letter from NHS Grampian, which stated: “Thank you for your ongoing loyalty and dedication to provide high quality patient care across mental health and learning disability services.

“We know this news will be unsettling for everyone.

“With such high vacancy rates, you have told us it is increasingly difficult to meet planned staffing levels and carry out your roles appropriately.”

Jane Fletcher, head of hosted mental health and learning disability services, said: “Any change is unsettling, but the safety of patients and staff is our main priority.

“This is a temporary move and we expect staffing levels to improve in the coming months as graduate nurses take up employment at the hospital.

“We will be looking at the models of care for the longer term to determine how the service needs to be organised in the future to better meet the needs of patients.

“This work will involve the public, staff and partners to make sure the services are sustainable for the long term.”

Last month, NHS Grampian was forced to close two dementia units at the hospital, which it described as an “extremely difficult” decision.

A total of 38 dementia patients in the Loirston ward and Lochhead Day Hospital were affected.

Simon Watson, regional organiser for trade union Unison said: “We are sickened that staff shortages have resulted in this closure and vulnerable adults in Grampian may suffer as a result.

“Politicians have to stop using the NHS as a political football and decide what sort of NHS this country needs.

“We must ensure that the profession is fit for purpose and remains one that others aspire to join – not one plagued with understaffing.”

WARD CLOSURE: The Brodie Ward at the Royal Cornhill Hospital in Aberdeen will have to be closed because of staffing shortages there