NHS Borders considers relocation of East/West Brigs to Crumhaugh House

Representatives from NHS Borders outlined proposals at the Teviot Area Forum meeting last night to relocate the East/West Brigs Mental Health Rehabilitation Ward to Crumhaugh House in Hawick.

Currently located on the Galavale site in Galashiels, East/West Brigs Ward is a rehabilitation inpatient unit for patients with long-term mental health problems. In order to address a number of patient care and safety issues arising from the current accommodation and  ward layout a project team was established in July 2014 to look at potential relocation options which would address these issues and improve the quality of care for our patients.

An option appraisal process considered four possible locations for the ward and has identified the ground floor of the currently vacant Crumhaugh House property in Hawick as the preferred location.

Explaining the reasons behind the recommendation to relocate the East/West Brigs Ward to Crumhaugh, Dr Cliff Sharp, Consultant Psychiatrist and Associate Medical Director for Mental Health at NHS Borders said: “In its current location, ward staff are presented with real challenges including patient observation and a lack of therapeutic space, which has an impact on patient recovery times.

“The option to relocate to Crumhaugh House, which was most recently utilised for inpatient care by the Mental Health service whilst Huntlyburn Ward on the BGH site was refurbished, addresses the patient safety issues that we are currently facing, and will provide patients with a high quality, safe, equitable and accessible service.”

Crumhaugh House is owned by NHS Borders, and despite being placed on the market in July 2013, a buyer has not been identified. Utilising the building for Rehabilitation patients will provide 13 inpatient beds, requiring a capital investment of £1.87 million, and will relocate 28 employees to Hawick making effective use of the vacant premises in the town.

Following a well received presentation to elected members for Hawick and Galashiels on Monday, the audience at the Teviot Area Forum were fully supportive of this proposal and would welcome the project and investment into the Hawick area.

The next stage of engagement will include letters to Community Councils, MPs and MSPs and the opportunity for members of the public to ask questions and share their views on the proposal.

The full business case, which will take into account feedback gathered during the public engagement phase, will be presented to the public meeting of NHS Borders Board on August 6^th 2015.