Last week, as a representative of the East Lothian Health Network, I deputised for a colleague at a meeting of the above forum.
The purpose of the meeting was to review progress of the future of this local cottage hospital – which is not owned by the NHS, they just provide services – as it may be affected by the Older People’s Strategy for the county. It was pointed out that the hospital is “not an older people’s service” but a facility for all people of all ages in the town.
Some of the current facilities may not be up to current NHS guidelines but apparently neither is the rather newer Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh completed a few years ago – the Edington facility will be 100 years old this June, long before the NHS came in to being. However, the quality of care provided, along with the infection rate, means that the Edington is well respected and valued by local people.
As the Older People’s Strategy is likely to be impacted by Scottish Executive suggestions regarding integrating services in the adult social care area it was felt at the meeting that work should still progress in reviewing the facilities that can be offered in the future. Further work is to be done in analysing the use of the current building before the ‘Model of Care’ document can be signed of. Once that’s done, options for the future can then be considered and put out for public consultation.
Whether this can be done in time for the Edington’s 100th celebrations in June this year remain doubtful to me.
