By Dave Lord

COMMUNITY HOSPITALS throughout much of Tayside are to undergo radical changes as the NHS desperately tries to cope with the changing demands of the 21st century.

A so-called “service deficit” has been highlighted by officials in Perth, Kinross and Dundee.

NHS chiefs yesterday accepted many of the facilities are “unacceptable” and pledged to undertake a major “redesign” of services.

Details of the ambitious programme of modernisation were outlined to members of the Perth and Kinross Community Health Partnership (CHP) during a meeting in Pitlochry.

A report put before members of the group noted ever-changing demographics mean the status quo is no longer viable.

“The risks of continuing to provide care of the elderly in premises which are not fit for purpose and which compromise our ability to deliver modern medical care is no longer acceptable,” it stated.

“It is therefore proposed that all community hospital/intermediate care services... are improved to enable the delivery of care within modern, fit for purpose premises.”

Providing a “joined-up” delivery of care across the acute, intermediate and primary sectors is a top priority of the plans, drawn up against a backdrop of a significantly ageing population.

“The demographic changes in the population of Scotland are resulting in an increasing number of old people,” the report noted.

“The number of people over 65 has trebled during the last century and in particular a dramatic increase in the over 80s and 90s will be seen by 2016.

“We therefore need to change, not only in response to national guidance, but to the changing needs of the population as ‘more of the same’ will no longer be sustainable.”

A full project plan is expected to be drawn up later this year, and consultation with members of the public and staff is likely to be a key element.

“There is widespread recognition that there is a service deficit in community hospital provision in Perth, Kinross and Dundee,” the report stated.

“Several factors have prevented progress but it is now felt there is once again an opportunity to look at some innovative ways to be move forward.

“The challenge is to work with community based staff and local people at ways of continually improving services so that they can be demonstrated to offer high quality in a way which is appropriate, effective, efficient and sustainable.”

Streamlining services and improving efficiency is a major goal, and health chiefs are warning that much of the current infrastructure will have to be upgraded.

“Reforming the community health model and integrating services in a way which is viable and sustainable will require acknowledgement that not all the current infrastructure is fit for purpose,” the new report stated.

“It is proposed that once a new medical and nursing model is agreed then a commitment is given to review and upgrade infrastructure.”