Piper Ward not closing insists chief executive
(From The Orcadian dated September 13, 2001)

Rumours that the Balfour Hospital’s Piper Ward rehabilitation facility is facing closure, have been scotched this week by chief executive of Orkney Health Board, Mrs Judi Wellden.

Fears about the future of rehabilitation services within the ward were sparked off after a meeting on Tuesday between medical staff and those involved in the development of the board’s integrated care model.

A working document appeared to suggest the option of reducing beds in Piper Ward, with the need for a dedicated rehabilitation ward ceasing longterm.

However, Mrs Wellden moved quickly to counter speculation, explaining that these discussions were looking at a range of options and had been taken out of context. In fact, she said, the board were planning to expand rehabilitation services.

She explained: “We want to expand rehabilitation to the whole of the hospital. That’s the principal. I know that there has been some anxiety – that happens with any change – but what I’m trying to get through is for everybody to “think rehabilitation”. It is the concept of a rehabilitation Hospital.”

She added that a working group would meet next Tuesday, to discuss options after which the results of their deliberations would be presented to the board.

“I have always said the new build will not be what we currently have. It will be a different concept.” She added that she understood that change could be hard to cope with, but confirmed that if she intended to cut Piper Ward she would have informed the staff herself.

gillian.wylie@orcadian.co.uk