A day hospital at the Lawson would benefit elderly
Sir – I believe one of the proposals in regard to alterations to the Lawson Memorial Hospital is to move main hospital patients down to the Cambusavie Unit and thereby increase the number of beds available, while moving out-patients into the main hospital.
Without a working knowledge of the average number of hospital in-patients at one time, it is not easy to comment on the effectiveness of this proposal.
These days the emphasis is very much on keeping patients in the community, keeping them as healthy, safe and independent as possible.
Why does the Cambusavie Unit not share its facilities and provide Day Hospital care to those who require a little intervention to maintain them at home, by assessing and providing appropriate occupational and physiotherapy skills as well as attention to any medical/nursing problems identified.
The unit has purpose-built occupational therapy and physiotherapy services. Upstairs there is a wonderful, large welcoming space with attached kitchen area which lies empty for the majority of the day.
Day hospitals are a modern essential, if caring for frail elderly in the community is to be taken seriously and be successful.
All too often patients are admitted into acute hospital beds and end up blocking them because discharge is delayed if they are not regarded as "safe". By that, I mean being able to independently perform daily activities of living and personal care.
Being discharged into day hospital supervision means that patients can continue to practise these skills. Discharge is more successful and patients do not bounce back into an acute bed because "they could not cope".
Bed blocking reduces the number of beds available, is exceptionally costly and patients are at risk of further decline.
Equally, community staff are aware of patients who are failing to cope at home, but who do not require admission to an acute bed as they are not ill enough.
Poor mobility, lack of enthusiasm, loneliness, all play a part in patients declining physically.
No-one wants to be admitted to hospital, least of all the elderly who may be frightened of leaving their homes and entering a system they know nothing or very little of.
A short-term admission to day hospital enables the frail elderly on many levels. They know at the end of the day they are going home! The social aspect cannot be denied either, though day hospital should not be thought of as another strand of social care.
I understand that finances play a large part in any re-organisation, but I strongly believe that ALL options should be looked at for the benefit of the community. As they say "Use It or Lose It!"
We are extremely lucky to have such an amazing resource in the Lawson and Cambusavie Unit. Everyone I have encountered there has been highly respectful, caring and professional.
With a continuing rise in the elderly population and demand on services, is it not beneficial to take the long view in providing a resource which will help the health of those whose age group we are all destined to join?
G Stuart RGN, DN,SCM,
218 Badninish, Dornoch.
