Published: Thursday, 28th January, 2010 6:00am

Thousands support battle for ward 2

TOWN leaders have claimed first blood in the battle to retain services at Dunbar's beleagured Belhaven Hospital.

The antiquated medical facility - which had been under review by a panel of medical staff, community stalwarts and affiliated groups - was to undergo substantial restructuring following the panel's recommendation to combine wards 2 and 3.

The merger would mean transferring six beds from ward 2 into ward 3, a nursing facility, resulting in a total reduction of a dozen hospital beds - six from both wards.

Belhaven ward 2 currently provides 12 beds for GP admissions, treatment for minor injuries and palliative care. Officially, its occupancy rate averages 58 per cent, however, NHS chiefs say actual figures are much lower - as a result of "delayed discharges" - at around just four or five patients.

In December, East Lothian Community Health Partnership (ELCHP) was due to debate whether to back the controversial recommendation but delayed making a decision to further consult with residents of Dunbar.

Speaking last Monday, Stephen Bunyan, chair of Dunbar Community Council, said a campaign to retain the current services at Belhaven had met with an "unprecedented response" from the town evidenced by a 3,600-strong petition.

"We have won the battle," he added, "but may not have won the war."

Gerry Power, general manager of East Lothian Community Health Partnership, said: "We have made a firm commitment that we will take advice from the East Lothian Public Partnership Forum on how to engage more widely with the local community in Dunbar, in relation to reviewing services in ward 2 at Belhaven Hospital."

Anyone who would like to be involved in discussions should contact Wendy Scott, East Lothian Community Health Partnership on 0131 536 8010.

Mr Bunyan stressed that it was understood significant improvements were needed at the hospital but there was a strong desire to keep it open.

Meanwhile, ward councillor Norman Hampshire called for the ELCHP's next meeting - to be held on February 9 - to be held in public rather than behind closed doors.

"Very few public meetings are held in private anymore and they [ELCHP] are making important decisions about our services," he said.