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.
Claire Burden, chief executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran, stated that Ayr would now have a combined base for the sickest patients, with beds from the Combined Assessment Unit and High Dependency Unit being used to provide Level 2 care (a step down from ICU). Burden assured that the move will be made on a “interim basis.
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.
This region receives critical treatment from Ayr Hospital, and as I have stated previously, I would be the first to reject any threats to broader services. I still implore NHS Ayrshire & Arran to be open and honest about their goals and difficulties.
“This will give patients, the general public, and the staff—who perform admirably under sometimes trying conditions—peace of mind.”
Health officials have told Carrick, Cumnock, and Doon Valley MSP Elena Whitham, the constituency MSP for Ayr Hospital, that the relocation to Crosshouse will only be temporary.
The decision to temporarily relocate three level three ICU beds from Ayr to Crosshouse Hospital was made primarily to maintain patient safety because of staffing shortages, according to SNP MSP Ms. Whitham.
To be clear, Ayr Hospital will keep offering critical care through its high-dependency unit, and arrangements have been made for anyone in need of an ICU at Ayr to safely transfer to Crosshouse.
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.
I want to reassure the general public and our employees that this is not a part of a larger scheme to shut down 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.
