RAH patients transfer move is not related to planned ward closure

Care partnership denies link to programme

- EDEL KENEALY

A move to transfer patients from the Royal Alexandra Hospital to a nursing home is not connected to an imminent ward closure.

Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) said its new “intermediate service” would cater to people who are medically fit to leave hospital but who require rehabilitation before returning home.

Three beds are currently being retained at Nightingale House in Paisley to support the roll out, while funding is in place for five beds.

The service has launched within weeks of the planned closure of ward 36 at the Paisley hospital — but medics insist the new programme is not connected to the ward closure and has been many months in planning.

The Express revealed last week how NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) plans to close the former care of the elderly ward by the end of the month.