Elderly Ashludie Hospital patients to move to locked ward
Elderly and infirm patients at Ashludie Hospital in Monifieth are to be moved to a locked psychiatric ward.
- By Graeme Strachan
- Published in the Courier : 08.07.10
- Published online : 08.07.10 @ 05.12pm
A care of the elderly ward is being closed because of its rundown state.
The older people are being moved in with psychiatric patients until appropriate accommodation can be found.
The ward remains locked to prevent patients from leaving and harming themselves or others.
One staff member told The Courier, "Some of these patients have been there for many years.
"It's not fair they are being put into a locked psychiatric ward because the premises are no longer suitable.
"They could be there for up to a year."
David Lynch, general manager, Dundee Community Health Partnership, said it is looking at options available to them to provide a more suitable environment to care for inpatients within the few remaining wards at Ashludie.
Mr Lynch informed staff by letter of the changes.
"Exploratory exercise"
"I would like to stress that, at this stage, this is an exploratory exercise and you will be kept fully appraised of developments," he said.
"Additionally a project team will be established which will include representatives of families, carers, staff side and ward level nursing staff.
"Whilst this process is ongoing, it is our intention to amalgamate wards one and seven.
"Consequently, you and your colleagues working in these areas will receive further communication inviting you to an individual meeting with managers and staff side representatives."
Mr Lynch said he appreciated this may be "an unsettling period" for staff.
The redesign of older people's services has been ongoing for some years.
The transfer of services from the Ashludie site to more appropriate accommodation in Dundee has been a part of that strategy.
There are 35 patients at Ashludie Hospital and nine older people in ward one will be affected by the amalgamation.
Out of date
In a letter to relatives of those affected, Mr Lynch said, "The standard of care provided in Ashludie Hospital is consistently high but you will know that the wards where your family member is looked after are of an older and out-of-date style.
"We believe that, when compared to modern styles of care facilities, the overall condition of the ward and support areas in Ashludie may be considered poor.
"We have now started a process to look for a more suitable environment in which to care for your relative.
"More modern premises would provide opportunities for single room accommodation with en-suite facilities, more choice in relation to dining and relaxation areas, and clinical support facilities more appropriate to the needs of older people who may be frail or have complex medical conditions.
"They will also provide patients with the opportunity to have more of their personal items, including their clothing, in their immediate surroundings.
"It is absolutely vital, however, that you have the opportunity to contribute to any discussion about new accommodation for your loved one."
NHS Tayside is holding five drop-in, information-sharing sessions at Ashludie for relatives from Wednesday.
08.45am - 23.07.2010 ex Ashludie staff member - carnoustie, scotland Report This
Would it not be more sensible to leave patients in ward 1 until Ashludie closes ,as well as losing their home the staff that have cared for them are not being transfered with them,I certainly would not be prepared for my mother to be tranfered to ward 7,This is a locked ward for a reason.
04.35am - 20.08.2010 c - dundee, angus Report This
i wouldnt want my relative to be in psychiatric care with psychiatric patients if they had dementia or were frail elderly--a peaceful enviroment is what is required
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