Siobhian Brown has spoken ahead of ICU beds moving from Ayr to Crosshouse Hospital on Monday.
With the last day of the critical care service approaching, Ayr’s MSP describes the closing of the ICU at Ayr Hospital as “disappointing.”
In response to the announcement that the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) beds will be transferred to Crosshouse on Monday, Siobhian Brown has shared her thoughts.
The Kilmarnock hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) will be able to accommodate 12 patients after the three critical support beds that provide life-saving treatment are moved down the A77.
First reported by Ayrshire Live in the previous year, the beds were scheduled to be moved as part of a staffing issue at NHS Ayrshire & Arran.
This week, NHS officials reaffirmed that patients now getting Level 3 treatment in Ayr’s ICU will be transported by ambulance to Crosshouse Hospital starting on Monday. Additionally, any patients at Ayr Hospital in need of critical care will be transferred to Crosshouse starting on Monday.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran chief executive Claire Burden explained how Ayr will be moved on a “interim basis,” promising would now have a combined base for the sickest patients, with High Dependency Unit beds and Combined Assessment Unit beds being used to deal with Level 2 care (a step down from ICU).
Ms. Brown pledged to oppose any threats to Ayr Hospital and acknowledged the difficulties the health board was facing.
“This move has been taken for patient safety and a high level of care will still be delivered in the newly formed Critical Care Unit,” stated the SNP MSP for Ayr, Prestwick, and Troon. I understand the difficulties NHS Ayrshire and Arran Health Board is having hiring senior people, despite the dismal news. I hope they are moving to fix these issues.
Ayr Hospital delivers vital care in this area and as I have said before should there be any threat to wider services, I would be the first to oppose these. I continue to urge NHS Ayrshire & Arran to be transparent with plans and challenges.
“This will provide reassurance to patients, the wider community, and the staff, who do a wonderful job in sometimes difficult circumstances.”
Meanwhile, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley MSP, Elena Whitham, the constituency MSP for Ayr Hospital says she has been reassured by health bosses that the move Crosshouse will be temporary.
SNP MSP Ms Whitham said: “The decision to move three level three ICU beds from Ayr to Crosshouse Hospital solely on an interim basis is to ensure patient safety due to current workforce gaps.
“To be clear, Ayr Hospital will continue to provide critical care through the high-dependency unit and plans are in place for a safe transfer to Crosshouse for anyone presenting themselves in need of ICU at Ayr.
“I am still in communication with NHS Ayrshire & Arran executives about this matter. I’ve been told that because both hospitals must operate at maximum capacity, this step is just temporary. I pledge to my constituents that I will fight for the earliest possible restoration of full services at Ayr Hospital.
“By introducing these interim changes, we can ensure that those who need the highest level of critical care will have access to an Intensive Care Medicine Consultant 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” stated Ms. Burden, chief executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran.
The public and our employees should be reassured that this is not a part of a larger plot to close University Hospital Ayr. University Hospital Ayr has been and will continue to be a vital component of our healthcare delivery system for the people of Ayrshire.”
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