Leanchoil is in critical condition

JUST under 125 years since it was built using funds donated from Lord Strathcona, Leanchoil Hospital may have closed its doors for the final time.

The last patient has exited and hospital administrators, Health and Social Care Moray, confirmed the news that surprised few in the community, having, over the last few decades, watched the life being squeezed from a building that so many locals were born in.

Moray Health and Social Care Partnership chief officer, Pam Gowans, issued a statement confirming “the temporary suspension of operations”.

She explained: “This is a patient and staff safety decision taken as a result of a persistent and significant inability to staff the facility.

“Health and Social Care Moray have made every effort and despite the utilisation of the nurse bank and staff supporting from other areas, it is proving extremely difficult to sustain the levels of workforce required to ensure patient and staff safety in Leanchoil.”

Ms Gowans pointed out that the last remaining staff were aware of the unsuccessful recruitment drives and targeting of nurses with lapsed registration via a Return to Practice course.

Health and Social Care Moray’s senior leadership and NHS Grampian’s senior leadership teams made the joint decision to suspend operations at Leanchoil “for the immediate future and under regular review”.

Ms Gowans added: “In Forres, we are currently working on new models of care in the community that can be delivered in a sustainable way whilst ensuring the key functions carried out at Leanchoil Hospital are available to the people of Forres. The safety of our patients and staff is paramount.”

New models of care include the Hanover Housing complex, Varis Court, in the town centre.

Patients deemed medically stable to leave Dr Gray’s Hospital are reviewed on an individual basis, and in discussion with family members, the most appropriate setting for transfer is determined, be that a community hospital elsewhere or to Varis Court.

“The staff working at Leanchoil have many valuable skills,” added Ms Gowans. “Discussions will be held with each member of staff to discuss options that are available. There is ongoing direct communication with all staff affected by these changes as well as patients and their families and carers as appropriate.”

Local councillor, Lorna Creswell, is a former member of the Moray Integrated Joint Board, responsible for the planning, delivery and resources for health and social care services as delegated by the NHS Board and Moray Council.

She said: “Some saw this coming years ago but tried to keep it open, delaying the inevitable. The facility has not been fit for purpose for some time. Big organisations such as the NHS and the Government have lots of tiers to work through as money reduces and needs increase.

“I am told there will be papers put forward on the future of community hospitals.”

Moray MP Douglas Ross has expressed his disappointment that Leanchoil Hospital is being closed with remaining patients transferred.

He said: “I understand that keeping Leanchoil functional has been difficult, but when we previously expressed concerns at a local level about closure and the possible repercussions for Forres patients, we were told that closure was highly unlikely; yet just a couple of weeks later we get this unwelcome news.

“This news will be a disappointment to a lot of local people who value this hospital, which was originally built after money was raised in the local community and the land was gifted to the town.”

Forres councillor Claire Feaver believes that Leanchoil struggling to attract staff is no surprise.

She said: “NHS Grampian has not invested in the hospital for years and it has gradually been run down despite the protests of local people.

“It’s no wonder new NHS staff don’t want to work at Leanchoil given this lack of commitment to its future.

“Forres is getting a very poor deal - first we had the news about the temporary closure of Towerview, and now this.”

Forres Community Council (FCC) is investigating the potential for alternative uses for Leanchoil before it is potentially sold by NHS Grampian to developers.

Chairman Graham Hilditch was under the impression that a meeting was scheduled in November to decide on Leanchoil’s future.

He said: “It is naturally disappointing when such a well known local facility nears the end of its designated use, but perhaps this is now unavoidable given its current condition, the running costs and very low number of patients using the facility.

“FCC will make every effort to participate in finding appropriate uses for the building to ensure that it continues to be used for the wellbeing and benefit of the community.”