Health minister reveals Migdale Hospital ward set to re-open
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Hopes are high that a Sutherland hospital ward, which has been closed for weeks, is about to re-open.
The Strathy Ward, at Migdale Hospital in Bonar Bridge shut its doors in mid-December because of low staffing levels.
The 10-bed ward provides a service for elderly patients with mental health difficulties.
NHS Highland said at the time there was a “national shortage” of mental health professionals.
Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant wrote to Scottish Health Mental Health Minister Claire Haughey to flag up her concern.
Ms Haughey has now responded to say that the ward should open shortly
In her letter dated January 9, she writes: “I have now been reassured that NHS Highland have put measures in place to address staffing capacity which will allow the ward to re-open early in the new year.”
The Minister said steps had been taken to address the national staffing shortage.
An extra 283 places had been provided on 2019/20 nursing and midwifery student intakes.
The non-means tested, non-repayable nursing and midwifery student bursary had also been increased to £8100 this year with another rise to £10,000 planned for this year.
Ms Grant said she welcomed the assurances given by the Minister but did not believe the Scottish Government had tried hard enough to tackle the staffing problem, particularly in the north.
She pointed out that a spike of retirees was expected soon in the Highlands and Islands and there was currently a shortage of newly trained staff to take their place.
She said: “I will be monitoring what happens in our rural and remote areas.”
NHS Highland was asked to confirm the ward would be opening soon but had not done so by the time the Northern Times went to press.
* Click here to read more news.
