AN ALLIANCE of community groups, calling for the return of staff and services to Edington Hospital, is holding a public rally this weekend.

Hands Around The Edington was formed by various community groups, and politicians from all parties, who have joined forces to bring healthcare services back to the North Berwick hospital.

The Edington, on North Berwick’s St Baldred’s Road, had its six inpatient beds moved to East Lothian Community Hospital in Haddington in September.

Health chiefs at East Lothian Health & Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) stated that the move to consolidate staff in Haddington for the winter was “in the face of unprecedented levels of demand” and was “temporary”. Staff at the Edington were given 12 days’ notice of the switch.

The minor injuries service at the Edington has also been replaced by a less comprehensive and accessible service, which is not currently available to under-18s.

Now, Friends of the Edington, North Berwick Community Council, North Berwick Coastal Health & Wellbeing Association, and MSPs Craig Hoy, Paul McLennan and Martin Whitfield have united to form the Hands Around The Edington group, working to have services and staff returned to the cottage hospital.

Murray Duncanson, chairman of Friends of the Edington, said: “The Edington is very person-centred and we’re desperate not to lose it.

“The minor injuries service is very valuable; now people are having to travel long distances to Edinburgh to get care.

“The inpatient beds are also very important. The number of elderly people is increasing dramatically and the closure of services at the Edington has meant moving patients to Haddington, where the staff are; it’s extra travel for families.

Judy Lockhart-Hunter, chairperson of North Berwick Community Council, said: “We are receiving distressing correspondence from residents across the town, who are being seriously affected by the reduction of services to the Edington, and it is diabolical that NHS Lothian, which is meant to help people, is causing such worry.

“The Edington Cottage Hospital must be returned to its full operations as a matter of urgency and we implore as many people as possible to attend the rally on November 7 to support the cause.”

East Lothian MSP Paul McLennan said that a steering committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday should reveal more information on the reopening criteria for the hospital.

He said: “The November meeting will be with the ELHSCP, NHS Lothian and also the Health Secretary, just to make him aware of it as well, asking for the criteria for reopening. It’s very much down to how they need to man and resource the community hospital in Haddington, make sure that that’s safe.

“The short-term objective is to get the reopening criteria; beyond that we need to make sure that we get to reopen the Edington as soon as possible.”

Martin Whitfield, South Scotland MSP, said: “I know the importance of the Edington to people in North Berwick and share the community’s desire to see it fully open again as soon as possible. The reasons given by NHS Lothian for the temporary closure are Scotland-wide and require a national response from the Scottish Government to ensure that health boards have the funding and staff they need to maintain vital services here in East Lothian and across Scotland.”

Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP, said: “The situation is very worrying not just because Edington Hospital is a vital service for the people of North Berwick and its surrounding communities – but its closure also has broader implications for the future of NHS services across East Lothian.”

A spokesperson for NHS Lothian said: “The review will be going ahead in early December and will involve senior leaders from NHS Lothian and East Lothian HSCP. The review will be based on a number of factors, including staff capacity and patient demand.”

Hands Around The Edington last week launched a ‘hearts project’, asking members of the public to write their messages on heart shapes, sharing how the Edington has helped them and their families.

Mr Duncanson added: “In essence what we’re asking people to do is, if they’ve had a positive experience at the Edington, either as an inpatient or in minor injuries, to tell their story.”

And families are being asked to bring their heart stories to the rally supporting the hospital in North Berwick’s Lodge Grounds on Sunday from noon.

Cut-out hearts for the ‘hearts project’ can be found at Anderson’s Quality Butchers on North Berwick High Street, Gannon Sports in Gullane and North Berwick, Westgate Galleries, whynot? and Zanzibar Coffee Shop.

Photos of people holding their heart stories should also be emailed to handsaroundtheedington@gmail.com