Patients have been moved to a care home after the heating system packed in on the ward of a busy hospital.
The 12 patients were transferred from Inverurie Hospital on Wednesday after staff noticed problems with the hot water supply and heating.
Patients admitted to the Donbank Ward were affected and many of them were moved to a nearby nursing home in the town.
Staff from the hospital on Upperboat Road will continue to care for the patients at Bennachie View Care Home until they can return.
It’s not yet known when the hospital heating system will be fixed. But it’s hoped that the ward, which has now been closed, will be back up and running again next week.
Specialist contractors have been called out to fix the problem thought to have been caused by a failure in an underground pipe.
Hospital heating system: It’s a difficult time for staff and patients…
One MSP said the incident was “concerning” and stressed that it highlighted the need for other community hospitals to remain open rather than being closed.
The hospital in nearby Insch has been closed since the start of the pandemic and it’s not yet clear if it will ever open up for patients again.
Pam Milliken, chief officer for the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, described it as a “difficult” time for staff and patients.
She said: “I would like to thank everyone involved for the exceptional work our staff did to ensure the safety and comfort of all the patients in very difficult circumstances.
“We hope to have the issue resolved quickly so that we can get back to delivering superb, patient-centered care from Donbank.”
Some patients were moved to another hospital
Inverurie councillor Neil Baillie said he was aware of the situation and said some patients had been transferred to another community hospital.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Alexander Burnett, said it was “extremely concerning” to hear that vulnerable people had been moved in winter.
He said: “This is another example of the pivotal role our community hospitals and care homes play in providing healthcare services across Aberdeenshire at the greatest time of need this winter.
“Rather than abandoning these valuable facilities, incidents like this should act as a wake-up call for the Scottish Government to protect community hospitals at all costs.”
