HOSPITAL bosses insist the future of Cumnock’s hospital is not in doubt - but was going through a quiet spell.

Last week staff at East Ayrshire Community Hospital (EACH) claimed they feared the unit could soon close.

They told the Chronicle that they had few patients to deal with and staff were being ferried by taxi - costing around £30 for one trip - to other Ayrshire facilities to find them work.

EACH has 24 beds staffed by local GPs, an outpatient suite, 13 frail elderly beds and 16 elderly mental health beds, Rehabilitation facilities, Social Work team and day hospital.

But one nurse said: “I have been here for a number of years and it has never been as quiet as this. You get the odd quiet period but it always picks up.

“But this has been going on for nine weeks now and there is a lot of talk amongst staff that something is brewing in the background.

“There is nothing for us to do and staff have been sent away by taxi. That must be costing them a fortune in taxi fares as it can cost around £30 one-way.” Ballochmyle Hospital closed at the start of the century and before that Holmhead Hospital in Cumnock was also closed.

And staff are praying it’s not another hammer-blow for health services here in Cumnock and Doon Valley.

Another nurse added: “We’ve already seen closures here so it’s something we fear. We’re always the last to find out. We’re really suspicious that they are winding down the hospital.” EACH opened in 2000 and has proved controversial. Health bosses had to shelve plans for a £3m state-of-the-art dental facility in 2011 - four months after work began.

Amazingly, despite work starting on the existing wards at the Cumnock hospital in April to help accommodate the dental unit, the building’s owners did not have an agreement in place with its bank to allow the dental project to take place.

Ayrshire and Arran Health Board insist there are no major issues at present.

Eddie Fraser, Director of Health & Social Care for East Ayrshire, said: “Some of the wards within East Ayrshire Community Hospital have recently been experiencing lower levels of occupancy. In order to make the most effective use of our nursing resources, some staff have occasionally been moved to support other areas with higher occupancy levels where their skills and knowledge are required.

“I would like to offer reassurance that this is a short-term measure and the future of East Ayrshire Community Hospital is secure.”