Growing concern over the future of north-east community hospital
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A charity which supports a north-east hospital has said it is growing increasingly concerned that the facility may never be re-opened post lockdown.
Friends of Insch Hospital join a growing list of community groups including others in Turriff and Banff where local Minor Injury Units remain closed at present that have questioned why units are still closed when others including Peterhead have reopened.
In a statement the group explained: "Insch War Memorial Hospital was closed to patients at the end of March.
"At this time the Friends had no choice but to accept the Covid related reasons for this sudden closure.
"However, the Friends are now anxious for the hospital to re-open with inpatient beds including palliative care which has been so appreciated by our community.
"Currently our patients, some of whom are extremely unwell, have to be cared for in Huntly or Inverurie.
"Recently, the Friends of Insch Hospital and Community were invited by the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership (AHSCP) to take part in a review of health and social care services in Insch and the surrounding area.
"The review will consider the needs of the community and how these can best be met.
"The Friends attended a meeting of the review group in September where information about the limitations of Insch War Memorial Hospital was presented.
"The Friends are concerned that we have been given no reassurance from AHSCP at this stage of any plan to re-open Insch hospital with inpatient beds and palliative care."
The situation has prompted a call for feedback and comments from the wider community.
They continued: "The Friends, in their role as community representatives, are keen to gather evidence of the views of our residents.
"This is why we need your help in letting us have your views, both about the hospital and about health and social care delivered in our area.
"We know that many of our local residents have taken part in consultations before about health services in Insch and this time we are asking you to do something a bit different.
"We would like you to let us have your thoughts, observations, memories and wishes for our local health and social care services so that we can share these with our AHSCP partners.
"Can you email info@friendsofinschhospital.org with your thoughts, or let us know if you would like some help to note these down or if you are willing to let us record a short video clip while you tell us what you think.
"You can also drop off any written comments to Sheena Lonchay at 6 Gordon Terrace, Insch (mailbox at the side of the house).
"You may also contact AHSCP directly with your views or to ask any questions about the provision of health and social care in our area. aberdeenshireHSCP@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
"As you know, the Friends have been working for many years to support Insch War Memorial Hospital.
"This is a great opportunity for your views to count when decisions are going to be made about what health and social care in the area will look like in the future.
