Concerns over move to close Royal Vic ward

A Dundee councillor will tomorrow raise his concerns about plans by NHS Tayside to axe a hospital ward for the elderly.

The health board has proposed to close ward six at the Royal Victoria Hospital as part of its programme to improve the care of older patients.

The closure would come into effect over five months, in tandem with an increase in the number of beds for acute-care elderly patients at Ninewells Hospital.

NHS Tayside says the move would allow older people to be assessed more quickly, and get better treatment for their individual needs.

Officials also hope it would reduce unnecessary admissions and the length of time patients stay in hospital.

Councillor Fraser Macpherson, who represents the west end of Dundee, will raise his concerns with NHS Tayside chief operating officer Gerry Marr tomorrow.

The Lib Dem group leader on Dundee City Council said: “A great many of my constituents have had treatment at the Royal Victoria Hospital and found it be an excellent resource.

“I have yet to see any evidence that services would be any better at Ninewells when we already have got an excellent resource for elderly people.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Tayside said the proposed changes were being suggested as a way of modernising services for the elderly, as well as improving patient care.

She said: “These programmes of work aim to optimise use of all our services both in hospital and in the community to ensure the best possible care for patients.

“We believe these improvements will enhance the pathway of care for older people in Tayside and improve care within medicine for the elderly services.”