NHS Tayside denies Royal Victoria ward padlocked to prevent 'occupation'
A Dundee hospital ward for elderly people — controversially closed at a time when the population is ageing — is padlocked.
The Royal Victoria hospital.
- By Marjory Inglis, health reporter
- Published in the Courier : 27.07.10
- Published online : 27.07.10 @ 11.32am
Staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital claim senior management were concerned that ward 6 would be "occupied" by those opposed to closure of the ward.
But the idea that management feared a site occupation by protesters has been dismissed by an NHS Tayside spokeswoman.
Elderly services across NHS Tayside are undergoing major changes which include ward closures and relocations. Back in March, NHS Tayside confirmed ward 6 at RVH would be closing in the summer and 21 whole time equivalent nursing auxiliary posts would be axed.
The decision came after several doctors, specialising in care of the elderly, wrote to management concerned that the ward was to be closed and replaced by an untried, alternative system that relies heavily on people being cared for in their own homes.
The signatories to the letter, including Professor Marion McMurdo, a renowned expert on care of the elderly, stated that bed closures were never raised with them when options for improving care of the elderly services were discussed with consultants from a private company brought in to review services.
They predicted that the closure of ward 6 would be "to the serious detriment" of elderly people.
The ward was expected to close next month but closed abruptly on July 12, after patients, carers and members of Dundee Pensioners' Forum publicly registered their opposition to the closure.
Now staff have revealed that the empty ward is very visibly off limits with a large padlock preventing entry.
"We think they were worried there would be an occupation," said one nurse.
Another claimed management action to close off the ward was not only excessive but was a waste of resources that could be used by an adjacent ward that remains open. A bathroom and store cupboard previously used by ward 6 are situated in a corridor linked to the adjacent ward.
"The bathroom and store cupboard are also padlocked," said the nurse. "The ward 6 bathroom is on the corridor and not part of the main ward which is one of the excuses they gave for closing the ward. Ward 7 could be using that bathroom and store cupboard."
A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside was asked why the ward and associated accommodation was padlocked.
"Ward 6 at Royal Victoria Hospital was closed earlier this month and in line with normal procedures the ward has been secured," she said.
10.10am - 28.07.2010 Rebecca James - Dundee, UK Report This
NHS Tayside have been disgraceful by cutting services to the elderly of this city! With an aging population they have decided to CUT numbers of beds and support staff for the elderly! They expect them to stay at home and suffer as there are no beds for them anymore - DISGRACEFUL!!
08.39pm - 10.08.2011 michael bryant - dundee, u.k. Report This
what has happended to the massive investment provided by the last labour goverment? shame on you alex samon the staff there work extermely hard will you be looking after your parents at home, now doubt you will have them in a privite hiospital, nice for the ones that can afford it c u at the ballot
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