Concerns raised over patient safety at New Craigs psychiatric unit in Inverness during coronavirus pandemic

A campaign group is claiming that cuts at New Craigs Hospital are compromising staff and patient safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

A number of critical tweets have been posted on the Twitter account of MeTooNHSHighland which question decisions over patient care priorities at the psychiatric unit.

The tweets claim that two wards have been rolled into one at the hospital, meaning that 20 patients were “all mingling, not two metres apart” including in a café there and while queueing for food and socialising.

Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart has written to NHS Highland’s interim chief executive, Paul Hawkins, to ask about the claims.

“It appears, from what I’m being told, that there are mixed messages coming from management about restrictions and protecting patients and staff," he said.

“There are changes at New Craigs and concerns about patients not having visitors and not being able to go out.

“It is also being asked if patients could log in to wi-fi, to allow support and to connect with people virtually over the internet.

“I realise that NHS staff and management are busy coping with coronavirus but there are valid concerns being raised.”

NHS Highland has been approached for comment.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.