The 'night nurse' service will operate in the areas currently served by NHS Ayshire and Arran. The NHS has outlined its expectation that Advanced Care Practitioners would be responsible for running the operation. This out-of-hours service would cover 12 hours each night in the week and will run for 24 hours a day at the weekend.
Dr Ken Ferguson is the assistant medical director at NHS Ayshire and Arran. He commented on the consultation process that led up to decision to provide special out of hours care in the region, saying:
“The board acknowledged the significant public engagement and change management which have taken place to date. They were also reassured that the Public Reference Group recognised the need to develop safe, sustainable services for the longer term.”
The service will take around a year and a half to come into force, as training and education of how local people can use the service will be a gradual process. A booklet has been produced to explain the changes to the service, using full colour printing. Ayr residents can obtain a copy by visiting the website of NHS Ayshire and Arran.
People needing urgent overnight care in the meantime are encouraged to continue contacting Lady Margaret Hospital, where a doctor can be dispatched if needed.