Ward 36 axe 'progressing' despite trial

NHS chiefs are pursuing plans to close a ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) despite being just 10 weeks into a nine-month pilot replacement.

- EDEL KENEALY

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) announced plans last year to close ward 36 and replace it with a Hospital at Home service in what it called a "test of change".

But union bosses have this week told the Express that NHSGGC is moving forward with proposals to close the ward without any proof the new model of care is working.

Unison, which represents staff on the ward, says the pilot has been running for only two months and can not possibly indicate the closure of ward 36 is justified.

Margaret Duffy, a Unison representative at the RAH, said: "Hospital at Home was to be a nine-month trial, that's what has been budgeted for.

"If this is truly to be a 'test for change', they would allow the nine-month test to take place and assess how successful it has been before making any decision on the future of ward 36.

"They can not possibly make that decision based on the evidence over a matter of weeks.