Concerns over proposals for Edington Hospital and Belhaven Hospital

Health chiefs admit they are facing “extremely difficult decisions” as they attempt “to address financial pressures in excess of £10 million” – and now Belhaven Hospital in Dunbar, as well as its associated care home, and Edington Hospital and The Abbey care home, both North Berwick, are under threat.

East Lothian’s Integration Joint Board (IJB) – responsible for planning services for health and social care in the county – is holding an online meeting tomorrow (Thursday) where it is proposed that the in-patient beds associated with the Edington are closed on a permanent basis.

The future of the Edington has been uncertain since its nine in-patient beds were transferred to East Lothian Community Hospital in Haddington in September 2021 in response to challenges posed by “Covid-19 and significant workforce issues”.

If closure is approved, the in-patient beds currently accommodated in ward six at the Haddington hospital would also be closed on a permanent basis.

READ MORE: Beds at Belhaven and Edington Hospitals face permanent closure

Meanwhile, discussions will also take place regarding Belhaven Hospital.

The hospital has previously provided an in-patient GP-led medical unit, comprising of six hospital beds; an NHS managed nursing home, Blossom House, comprising of 11 care home beds; and a community health services hub.

In 2022, the hospital faced water quality issues on-site, leading to the temporary transfer of all residents and Belhaven inpatients to East Lothian Community Hospital.

While care home residents returned to the site in January last year, the NHS in-patient beds at Belhaven continue to be accommodated within East Lothian Community Hospital (ward six).

READ MORE: Residents of Blossom House nursing home at Belhaven Hospital moved

Regarding those facilities, “it is proposed that Belhaven’s care home and inpatient beds are closed on a permanent basis, due to the associated risk of fire hazards, security and lone working", according to a report to the IJB.

The Abbey care home could also close on a permanent basis.

The North Berwick facility has 30 care home beds – 28 single rooms and a double room.

However, only 16 of the rooms feature an en-suite toilet and hand basin, while there is only one shower and two baths within the home.

The report states: “Extensive work will be required to fully meet current and future care and safety standards.

“However, this level of refurbishment is not financially viable, especially as no capital funding is available."

The Abbey care home

Fiona Wilson, chief officer and joint director of East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) – responsible for health and social care services in the county – described the financial pressures facing the IJB as “unprecedented”.

ELHSCP says “difficult decisions” have to be made on a series of proposals in order to set a balanced budget.

Paul McLennan, East Lothian’s MSP, said: “I understand the concerns raised by residents in North Berwick and Dunbar, and will be meeting the community councils jointly.

“I hope the IJB will look at alternative proposals to the ones proposed.

“The issue isn’t just about the short-term measures proposed but the longer-term provision for the growing towns.”

Kenny MacAskill, East Lothian’s MP, said: “The proposals are deeply worrying.

“Times are tough and money is short. But clarity is required as a matter of urgency.”

Martin Whitfield, South Scotland MSP, said that the county was “one of the council areas worst-funded by the Scottish Government” but added that the proposals would be “unpopular with local people”. He added: “My central concern is to ensure that everyone who may be affected is given the information, assistance and support they need.”

Fellow South Scotland MSP Craig Hoy described the decision as “a backward step”, blaming “national budget mismanagement by the SNP” and adding: “Local healthcare managers and decision makers must seek to prioritise community-based social and health care, such as that offered by The Abbey, Belhaven and the Edington.”

'It is vital'

Councillor Lyn Jardine, Dunbar and East Linton ward, is a member of the IJB. She said: “I’ve heard from some people concerned about the closure of Belhaven and some who see the current facilities’ limitations, and see this decision as an opportunity to modernise services for older people in the future.

“As a member of the IJB, I have to consider what is best for the longer-term strategy and will make my decision following an open discussion with other board members.

“I will be looking for assurances as to how any prospective closure will be co-ordinated to ensure we minimise the impact on existing residents and, equally, should the IJB agree to close the facility, I will be pressing NHS Lothian, who own the land, to ensure that any future use of the site is for specific needs of health and wellbeing.”

Fellow Dunbar and East Linton ward member Councillor Donna Collins highlighted the importance of the Dunbar facilities.

She said: “It is vital. Trying to get to Haddington or the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh from Dunbar is an absolute nightmare.”

Councillor Jeremy Findlay, North Berwick Coastal ward, said: “While I appreciate that the IJB has budgetary pressures, the solutions being put forward are not in the best interest of the people of North Berwick.

'A cheap way of saving money'

“The closure of the in-patient beds on a permanent basis is to me a precursor to the closure of the Edington.

“The closure of The Abbey is seen as a cheap way of saving money while we should be investing in local services.

“North Berwick is a growing community and the IJB should be looking to support the people of the town rather than moving everything to Haddington or the Royal Infirmary, which both are difficult for people to get to given the level of public transport.

“When I first became a councillor, the talk was on replacing The Abbey, Edington and doctors’ surgery with a new, purpose-built combined entity, but this has obviously been ditched.”

Kenny Miller, chair of North Berwick Community Council, said: “The Edington has been a concern for a long time.

“If beds are to be moved permanently then people will be required to travel a distance to them. Many are unable to travel, which is a concern.

“There are other care homes, but I think the general feeling is that The Abbey is the preferred one in the town and would be a big loss.

“I still have hope that the beds and the home can be saved, but we will have to wait and see.”

David Robertson, chair of Friends of The Edington Hospital North Berwick, added: "Since their formation in 1990, the Friends of the Edington Hospital have supported the welfare of the patients in various ways.

"Following the abrupt withdrawal of nursing staff in September 2021, the reported permanent loss of palliative, respite and end-of-life care as well as the 24/7 minor injuries service is extremely disappointing.

"We look forward to learning details of the public consultation which is required in these circumstances.

"Sadly, what is just as disappointing is that NHS Lothian appears unable to offer any substantive proposals for the provision of modern health and social care for North Berwick and district."