‘Relocation’ for High Dependency Unit

NHS Orkney have confirmed that the county’s High Dependency Unit (HDU) is to be relocated to within the acute ward at the Balfour Hospital, due to staffing issues.

Despite a number of recruitment campaigns, NHS Orkney claim it has not been able to bring staffing up to full complement in its current HDU area.

In order to maintain the current service Cathie Cowan, chief executive has asked her lead hospital consultant, Dr Paul Cooper, and the HDU senior charge nurse, to work with staff to relocate the service in the acute ward. Combining the acute ward and HDU service, will, they say, enable the areas to be more effectively staffed.

Dr Cooper said that the HDU services in the Balfour Hospital would continue to be provided at the same level of quality but relocation was necessary to overcome the recruitment issues.

Dr Cooper went on to say staffing shortages in specialist areas such as HDU are a UK wide issue and that he is working with Ms Cowan to ensure service continuity.

Mrs Cowan confirmed that a targeted recruitment drive will begin again in the new year.  She expressed disappointment that NHS Orkney has not been able to recruit fully to all vacancies, despite a number of recruitment campaigns. Bank and locum medical staff have therefore been used to maintain a high quality and safe hospital service.