A hospital which closed due to staffing shortages may not open again – after it was deemed “financially unsustainable”.
Fears were raised when Leanchoil Hospital in Forres announced a temporary closure that it may end up being mothballed.
Now those concerns have been renewed, after Health and Social Care Moray – who look after the day-to-day running of the community facility – revealed it would cost £4 million to make the building fit for purpose.
NHS Grampian has already ruled out investing in the hospital, which was latterly being used as an aftercare facility for patients from Dr Gray’s in Elgin and Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Health and Social Care Moray is currently consulting on a transformation plan for health services in Forres and is looking at ways to replace the service at Leanchoil.
But last night, Moray MP Douglas Ross said he now believes the plan had always been to shut the hospital – despite assurances there were plans to keep it functional.
He said: “I have asked multiple times about the plans for Leanchoil given concerns that have been raised with me about its future. I’ve always been told that closure was a temporary measure due to staffing problems, yet this proposal for future health care in Forres is based on a model which assumes Leanchoil is no longer open.
“As this is something that I have been asking about for months along with Forres Community Council and local councillors, why haven’t they been more upfront about their intentions? This consultation smacks of a tick-box exercise after a decision has already been made, rather than genuinely seeking the views of local people.
“Leanchoil closing could be devastating for vulnerable and older people in Forres who rely on having a local hospital where friends and family can support and visit them, rather than isolate them in hospitals miles away from where they live.”
In a report, Health and Social Care Moray states: “Leanchoil Community Hospital needs a substantial amount of repair and maintenance work to ensure that it meets the standard of care. The cost of the refurbish, maintenance and repair costs is estimated to be no less than £4million which would be a prohibitive cost for Health and Social Care Moray to meet.
“In the context of the wider cost pressures currently being faced by Health and Social Care Moray, meeting this cost is therefore not financially sustainable.”
A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian confirmed that the health board would not be investing any more money in the hospital.
She said: “As previously announced, the Integration Joint Board is expecting a presentation from the management team at the November board meeting.
“This will cover the potential options for delivery of an optimal model of care for health and social care including the functions delivered in Leanchoil. This is in the knowledge that the current situation in Leanchoil is not sustainable and there is no plan to reinvest in this facility.
“The new health and care centre covers all other aspects of care required in Forres previously delivered in the hospital.”
Forres Community Council chairman Graham Hilditch was sad to see the building empty and would like to see it be taken over the local community.
He said: “It is sad to see such a historical building completely empty but I feel like it is not fit for purpose as a modern hospital.
“I would be keen for the community to get a hold of it as it is still a very useful building and can be used for the good of the town.”
Leanchoil Hospital was temporarily shut down at the start of September due to recruitment problems and staff shortages.
The patients being treated there were transferred elsewhere to other facilities in Moray.
It is one of five community hospitals in Moray, alongside Fleming Hospital in Aberlour,
Seafield Hospital in Buckie, Stephen Hospital in Dufftown and Turner Memorial Hospital in Keith.
Currently, there is an ongoing review into all of these community hospitals being undertaken by Health and Social Care Moray who look after them and need to find a way to balance their books.
The partnership governs shared NHS and council services and faced a budget shortfall of more than £4million this year.
The future of the community hospitals is in doubt, with Leanchoil Hospital expected to be the first to be officially shut down when a decision is reached about it later on this year.
The Forres locality health and social care public consultation detailed how services in Forres would be reconfigured in the event of Leanchoil closing down for good.
It proposed the creation of a multi-disciplinary team with staff from different professional disciplines working in a more integrated way to provide a more responsive service for patients.
This article originally appeared on The Press and Journal
The Institute cannot confirm the accuracy of this story or confirm that it presents a balanced view. If you feel this is inaccurate we would welcome your perspective and evidence that this is the case.
