Pest control work forces hospital to move services
BBCA "pest control issue" at a hospital in the north of the Isle of Man has led to the minor injuries unit being temporarily closed, with several other services relocated.
Manx Care said the additional disruption at Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital (RDCH) would begin on 15 December and last until the end of April at the latest.
It follows the closure of the Martin Ward at the facility in October for refurbishment after an infestation was discovered in part of the building's roof. No further details about the issue have been released.
The latest phase of works would include deep cleaning and inspections of other areas, as well as structural improvements.
The healthcare provider said the newly refurbished Martin Ward would now be used to operate skin services along with blood, EGG and several other outpatient clinics, allowing works to be carried out in the other parts of the hospital.
As a result, those seeking treatment for minor illnesses and injuries, including X-rays, would have to go to the emergency department at the island's main hospital in Braddan.
Manx Care said renal services would also be relocated to Noble's Hospital, with podiatry and physio clinics moving to the Central Community Health Centre on Westmoreland Road in Douglas.
Tissue viability clinics – which offer wound care services – are to be moved to the Peel GP Practice and the Jurby Health Centre, while bone density scanning and phototherapy services will be suspended completely during the period.
Plans have not yet been finalised for dental outpatient services.
Patients who would normally be treated on the Martin Ward, which is ordinarily used for inpatients with varied illnesses as well as those in need of rehabilitation and respite care, would continue to be treated at Noble's Hospital, the health care provider said.
Manx Care chief executive Teresa Cope said the northern hospital remained "a vital hub for healthcare on the island" and the relocation of some services was "a temporary but necessary step towards ensuring the safety and comfort of staff and patients into the future".
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