Inspectors have issued eight recommendations to improve a learning disability facility in Inverness amid concerns over delayed discharges.
The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland yesterday published its report on the Willows Unit at New Craigs Hospital in the Highland capital.
The watchdog looked at the implementation of previous recommendations and reports that delays to processing patients were having “a significant impact on the learning disability service as a whole”.
The six-bed unit at the Leachkin Road hospital provides assessment and treatment for patients with learning disabilities.
Three of the six patients on the ward were formally considered to be delayed discharges, and the patients told inspectors that communication from staff overseeing their progress towards discharge was “poor and causes anxiety”.
One patient reported that “she cries at night because she is so unhappy about still being on the ward, despite being ready for discharge”.
The report found that due to vacancies in unit, vulnerable patients with a learning disability “are sometimes placed inappropriately in adult acute wards in emergency situations”.
Others continued to be cared for in the community when it has been assessed that this is not the safest thing for them.
Generally, however, the inspectors found that patients were “on the whole very happy with the care and treatment received” and care plans had “multidisciplinary input” which were “rich” with information.
A total of eight recommendations were made to improve various policies, care plans and training, including keeping a record of people waiting to access a bed at the unit.
Local NHS chiefs said the findings would be considered as part of a current review into services in the Highlands.
Last night, a health board spokesman said: “NHS Highland welcomes the thorough report from the Mental Welfare Commission, as we strive to reduce admissions and length of stay in Willows.
“A review of learning disability services in Highland that will include Willows is currently taking place and the timing of the Mental Welfare Commissions report is ideal to inform how we best shape our future service and provide the level of quality support to our clients that NHS Highland expects.”
