Review of ERI staffing levels begins

The review will form part of a series of measures in an improvement action plan, signed by NHS Lothian’s chairman Dr Charles Winstanley and chief executive Tim Davison. The findings of the Healthcare Improvement Scotland report, published this week, singled out 23 areas for improvement and just four areas of strength at the hospital. Inspectors found examples of patients’ dignity being compromised and raised concerns over nutrition and the treatment of patients with dementia.

Staff training, longer curtains around beds and a review of how mealtimes are handled are also part of the plan.

Melanie Hornett, the health board’s nurse director, said: “We have a comprehensive action plan in place and work is under way to ensure that each action is addressed as quickly as possible. Indeed some of them have already been addressed, such as ensuring a sufficient number of 
staff are present during patient meal times.”