A MEMBER of staff at East Ayrshire Community Hospital has risked their job by revealing more issues affecting cancer patients.

Speaking on the condition that we do not reveal their name, the frustrated worker said the health authorities could ‘save a fortune’ by having vital treatment available at Cumnock.

Our source said: “A ward is lying empty while people are being taken by patient transport for oncology appointments elsewhere.

“For a 40-minute consultation, some are being picked up at home as early as 9am and not brought back till after 4pm, because of the way the system works.

“With cancer rates so high, why can’t the empty ward be used for an oncology unit?”

The organisation responsible for the hospital, East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, have responded to this and other complaints revealed to the Chronicle recently.

Director of the partnership, Eddie Fraser, said: “East Ayrshire Community Hospital is a valuable community asset that the Health and Social Care Partnership intend to develop.

“It is at the heart of our vision to deliver sustainable services in the local community and we are actively seeking opportunities to invest in new models of care with the hospital as a key resource.

“Rather than the hospital being scaled down, we want to see a shift in the balance of care where more care is being delivered closer to people’s own homes. East Ayrshire Community Hospital is well placed in that respect and will be developed to help us achieve our vision.

“In relation to concerns about staffing, all of our wards are fully staffed to ensure patient safety. There are doctors working in the hospital six days a week with arrangements in place to secure medical cover outwith normal working hours, should that be required.

“East Ayrshire Community Hospital has visible management and leadership to support colleagues with a Senior Change Nurse always available on site. Staff have access to a senior manager responsible for the site and professional advice if required.

“During 2014, occupancy levels at the hospital were low and the capacity was reduced to meet demand. In 2015, we have seen the occupancy increased to around 80 per cent which is appropriate for that facility.

“The 2014 decision gives the Health and Social Care Partnership an opportunity to develop other options for using the vacated space and to identify possibilities to shift the balance of care closer people’s own homes and meet the needs of our local community.

“Across Ayrshire, residents do require to travel to Ayr and Kilmarnock for some specialist hospital based services. For those unable to travel themselves, transport and support arrangements are always put in place.

“Over the next few years we will look at opportunities to bring services closer to peoples own home. It can never be possible to replicate specialist care from our colleagues in acute hospitals in every East Ayrshire community.”

One issue raised by a resident, who has close connections with the hospital, was that there is a lack of security personnel and porters at the hospital, but this has been refuted.

Mr Fraser added: “In terms of other concerns that have been raised about hospital security, the present arrangements have been well established on the site over a number of years and have served us well”

He added that the Health and Social Care Partnership would be looking at community and hospital based provision, including ward areas and day services, as part of their regular reviews.

“Although these services are subject to redesign as we move forward, any changes will modernise our approach with the intention of improving outcomes of people living in East Ayrshire and will have a direct benefit to local people in Cumnock. East Ayrshire Community Hospital will very much be a core part of that future.”