Summers Ward in Peterhead hospital set to reopen after Legionella issue
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The Summers Ward at Peterhead Community Hospital will reopen in December it has been announced.
It was closed in February after Legionella was discovered in the water supply.
It is a GP acute ward, where patients are admitted from practices from Peterhead and the surrounding areas.
It deals with patients with a variety of health care needs ranging from requiring short-term GP acute admissions to patients who require short-term rehabilitation.
The nurses assist in the monitoring and reporting of any changes in the patient’s condition.
Its operation was moved to Fraserburgh Community Hospital.
It has been announced that the ward will open again to patients on Monday, December 18.
Jeff Shaw, partnership manager for Health and Social Care North at Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “I am delighted by the news that Summers Ward will be returning home to Peterhead Community Hospital.
“It has been made possible thanks to the diligent work of a great many individuals, who have pulled together in a bid to make the site as safe as possible for both patients and staff.
“I am sure the news will be welcomed by many, and we now hope to make a gradual return to normal.
“Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to our colleagues at Fraserburgh Community Hospital, for their ongoing support during the entire process.”
Since moving the ward to Fraserburgh in February, the partnership has kept the situation under continual review and now, with the majority of the remedial work to the water system completed and with encouraging water test results, it is in the position to move back.
Stringent water testing has been taking place on site, and the partnership is confident that both staff and patients can return to Summers Ward with no concerns surrounding the water supply.
A large amount of preparation work has already taken place and there is still much work to do.
The partnership will take each step of the move with deliberation and care to ensure a smooth transition.
Peterhead North and Rattray councillor Leeann McWhinnie has welcomed the announcement.
She said: “This is very welcome news that Summers Ward will be reopening next month.
"This has been a huge concern to the local community who very much value their local hospital and the services it provides.
"I would like to thank the staff at Peterhead Community Hospital and the wider NHS Grampian who have worked very hard to keep patients safe and well during what has been an extremely difficult time for all concerned.”
