Morisset Hospital’s Ibis Lodge Unit treating dementia and severe behavioural symptoms to close
Morisset Hospital’s Ibis Lodge Unit — a unique ward catering to dementia patients — is set to close.
Newcastle
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The State’s last specific ward for dementia patients with severe behavioural and psychological symptoms is being shut at Morisset Hospital, affecting less than a dozen patients and up to 32 staff.
Hunter New England Health has confirmed that the Ibis Lodge Unit, which has supported up to 27 patients at a time over the years, will no longer be used on the sprawling hospital grounds on the banks of Lake Macquarie.
The nine remaining patients would be transitioned into residential care and 32 staff would be offered other roles at Morisset or “within other mental health services closer to their local area if they wish’’, HNEH executive director Dr Marcia Fogarty said in a statement following enquiries by Newcastle News.
Other specialist units at Morisset Hospital, including those involving clinical rehabilitation, forensic mental health, psychiatric rehabilitation and neuropsychiatry, would remain on the campus.
Dr Fogarty said it had been recognised that the “model of care and the physical environment of the unit are no longer in line with contemporary best practice’’.
“While previously we have supported people with severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in a hospital setting, there are now many specialised Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF) that are best placed to offer this type of care in a more homely environment for patients,’’ Dr Fogarty said in the statement.
“For this reason, Hunter New England Health has decided to transition these services to appropriate RACFs in the area, who have agreed to accept care of these patients.
“Ibis Lodge is the only unit of its type remaining in NSW that offers this model of care. In addition, the physical building and environment of the unit is old and difficult to maintain and is increasingly unsuitable to offer the kind of care these patients require.
“Our mental health clinicians are also working in the community with GPs and aged care operators to provide clinical support to manage patients in the community and in RACFs. This will enable us to provide more appropriate, contemporary and sustainable mental health services for these people in the community rather than in hospital settings.
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“This is in line with contemporary practice of providing support in the community and as close to home as possible.’’
Staff were told of the closure at a meeting on October 3. Some had been working in the specialist unit for many years.
“There is currently no firm date to finalise the transition of services, as we are committed to genuinely working with everyone to put a plan in place,’’ Dr Fogarty said.
“We will communicate relevant dates to staff and the community once they are known.’’