Four Falkirk hospital wards closed over fire risk will not reopen

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Four wards in Falkirk Community Hospital that closed due to fire safety fears will not reopen, it has been confirmed. The closure means that staff who were temporarily deployed to other areas will not return to their posts - leaving the local health and social care partnership with an underspend of around £2 million.

At a recent meeting of the Integrated Joint Board, which oversees health and social care services, members agreed that unspent cash should be directed toward community care. Read more: Falkirk drivers will have to wait for Avon Gorge upgrade but motorway junction will improve The wards - which mainly provided care for elderly and vulnerable patients - closed in 2019 when members of NHS Forth Valley health board were warned that the buildings on the site of the former Falkirk Royal Infirmary were not fit for purpose.Members of the IJB heard subsequent investigations identified that "the scale of the work required to address the fire risk means that it is not feasible to reopen the closed wards".The wards were always intended to be replaced as part of the masterplan currently being developed for the overall site on Westburn Avenue, Falkirk.Falkirk Live brings you the latest headlines from Falkirk and beyond.But did you know all the ways you can stay informed with us?We share live news and exclusive scoops every day so make sure you're following us so we can keep you informed on all things Falkirk!However, that redevelopment is not expected to be operational for several years and the IJB heard that "work is now underway with individual staff, managers, HR, and staff side to engage with individual staff to settle people into permanent positions".The potential recurring saving generated from permanent