Hospital undergoes surgery to make room for new beds

Published on Wednesday 23 September 2009 09:45

OFFICES are to be turned into wards at Edinburgh's main hospital to boost the number of beds – but it will still not have the same number as the old Royal Infirmary.

Under plans announced by health chiefs, the ERI, which opened six years ago, is set to be expanded by 50 beds to meet "increasing demand", with administrative departments moved to another base to make room.

The health board was roundly criticised by unions and its own consultants when it first unveiled plans to build the 960-bed new ERI, reducing the capacity by 150, at a cost of 190 million.

At the time the board argued planning restrictions and a move towards care in the community meant the same level of beds would not be needed, and doctors did agree the cut.

But others warned of a looming crisis – especially during winter – and this was seen this year as the winter ward at the ERI remained open throughout the summer and operations had to be cancelled.

Tom Waterson, Lothian branch chairman of Unison, said: "It was made very clear at the time there wouldn't be enough beds, we held a conference on it and people even resigned over it.

"The reduction in beds relied on a lot of things falling into place that didn't.

"It is a welcome move, it's just a shame it's taken this time."

Health chiefs will now re-jig accommodation to make space for more beds, but there will still be nearly 100 fewer than there were at Lauriston Place.

More room will also be made available at the city's psychiatric hospital, the Royal Edinburgh, and this project could save the health board several million pounds. It is understood a deal to lease a city centre office which would see some offices from both hospitals moved there is close to being struck.

NHS Lothian's chief operating officer, James McCaffery, said it was one of many things the health board was planning to create more space for patients.

"Over the next few years we have a series of projects planned to create better and more modern facilities for patients," he said.

"Because of the increasing demand for our services, we want to increase the space available for patient care at the ERI."

The shift could also spell the end for the historic Deaconess House at the Pleasance, which houses a number of non-clinical roles.

Under the plans, it will either be radically revamped or sold.

While the economic downturn has led to plunging value of a number of sprawling properties – such as the Sick Kids Hospital and the Royal Edinburgh in Morningside – NHS bosses want to take advantage of low rent to secure an as yet unnamed central site.

Mr McCaffery added: "By taking advantage of low rental prices, bringing more of our office activities together, and introducing other efficiency measures, we estimate that we can save 3.57m. At the same time we can make room for up to 50 more beds."