Transfer bed funding woes

NHS Orkney continues to see problems with its mental health transfer bed as it is struggling to find funding for it.

The transfer bed is located in the emergency department of the Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall.

It gives patients who require treatment on the Scottish mainland somewhere to stay until they can be transferred.

A year ago, it was noted that the use of the bed had seen a huge increase and the arrangements were “unsustainable”.

The following August, a report from the Health and Safety Executive highlighted that the transfer bedroom posed dangers to distressed and vulnerable patients.

Also last year, issues with the room were noted in a

report from the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland. Among these was that the “decor was drab and the bedroom felt bleak, oppressive and lacked sunlight, fresh air and ventilation”.

While it seems that a plan was put in place to improve things, there isn’t enough money available to carry out that plan.

A report viewed by the board of NHS Orkney yesterday mentioned that

the transfer bed is a “matter of concern or key risk to escalate”.

The attached notes state that it is “creating issues for patients and staff ”.

An “action plan” is needed while the current

proposed solution is paused due to “financial context”, the report states.

This was picked up by the chairperson of NHS Orkney’s board, Meghan McEwen.

She asked for an update on the room, noting that concerns have been raised in the past.

The chief executive of Orkney Health and Care, Stephen Brown answered, saying there is a “significant financial hurdle” to overcome.

Mr Brown said: “It continues to be a concern to us.

“As you know we had identified a solution and a working model, we continue to struggle to find the finance for it because there are some recurring revenue costs that go along with it.”

Mr Brown also said they may be able to “bundle together some smaller strands” of funding from the Scottish Government to help.

However, he added: “But the essential element with this is that there is a significant financial hurdle still getting in the way of this.”

‘FINANCIAL HURDLE’: The transfer bed is located in the emergency department at Balfour Hospital in Kirkwall.