NHS Lothian (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I was lucky (?) to be able to attend a further meeting of the Forum looking at the future of the Edington Cottage Hospital in North Berwick.
Unfortunately the ‘model of care’ document hasn’t been fully updated since the last meeting in January – a meeting planned for March was cancelled. It was indicated that there are some practical problems with the existing building although there are no problems with the level of care currently provided. An in-house infection control review is due to take place shortly along with a review by NHS Lothian Building Estates team. It is hoped an updated document will be available by the next meeting. It as also noted that the building is a ‘Listed Building‘ which leads to problems in the physical redesign of the building.
It was also noted that with 500 new houses in the pipeline, the current GP Practice next door is unable to provide services for the increase of population as they are currently at capacity level.
After some discussion it was agreed that it is more important to look at what health service provision is needed for the town and not concentrate on the actual buildings at this stage, although this was mentioned when all this started off as part of the Older People’s Strategy for East Lothian. Once there is a decision on future provision then one can start looking at how these services are delivered. Palliative care for example may not be provided at the Cottage Hospital but at home or some other care facility in East Lothian.
There was concern raised regarding The Abbey which will be difficult to renovate, partly due to the graveyards on the site, partly to a “bad” extension built on some years ago, partly due to the main entrance gate, all of which make it difficult to re-design the building to make it suitable.
There was some discussion regarding obtaining Section 75 payments from the new build housing schemes for health service provision but this was left to later.
The Scottish Parliament’s Consultation on Adult Health and Social Care (that’s those over 50 years of age) will also affect and possibly delay any final agreement being reached.
The next meeting is planned for early September.
