The decision to progress the move of inpatient learning disability services was made in the summer of 2024, in direct response to the recommendations of the Independent Oversight and Assurance Group to progress the decision to move to single site provision in Tayside for inpatient mental health care, as well as the need to act with urgency on the recommendations of the Mental Welfare Commission (MWC) following its visit to Strathmartine Hospital in 2024.

The successful delivery of the move to an improved care environment for our patients remains a priority for the Board and a great deal of work has taken place in the last year to progress this through the Inpatient Learning Disability Services Transition Programme.

Progress as at end of June 2025

A phased approach has been agreed for the first two ward moves and the detailed plans to deliver these moves are being prepared by the multi-disciplinary teams who will work together to ensure a smooth transition for our patients.

This will include a workforce plan for professional staff, as well as support staff, estates planning and full engagement with patients and families. Safe staffing plans – with dates confirmed for the two-phase transitions – will be presented for approval to the Chief Executive’s Team (CET) on 1 September 2025.

Phase 1 and 2 moves

Phase 1: The Carseview Learning Disability and Assessment Unit (LDAU) service will relocate to the vacant Rannoch Ward at Murray Royal Hospital. This is in line with the original 2018 single site for inpatients decision made by Perth & Kinross IJB and works had already been completed in preparation for this move.

Phase 2: The Strathmartine Flat 1 service will relocate to the vacant Faskally Ward in the Rohallion clinic on the Murray Royal site. The 10-bed ward in Rohallion will need some minor works to be completed before the service can relocate and will provide a significantly enhanced environment for inpatients currently in Strathmartine.

The detailed final plans for Phases 1 and 2, including the confirmed dates for the transition of patients, will be completed by the end of August and will go to CET for final sign-off on 1 September 2025.

Organisational change and workforce planning

We are committed to working with staff and partnership colleagues to explore the most pragmatic and effective way forward. This is continuing through formal organisational change policies and processes.

Organisational change one-to-one interviews with all inpatient learning disability staff will take place by the end of July 2025. Following this, a detailed workforce plan will be completed for Phases 1 and 2 and this will be presented to CET as part of the finalised plans in place by the end of August 2025.

Plans for BSI Unit and patients experiencing significant delay

The Chief Officers of Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnerships are now working on a community model for learning disability patients, including a plan for those patients who are experiencing significant delays in the hospital setting.

The plans for this next phase will be complete by the end of January 2026 and will provide a timeline for those patients who remain on the Strathmartine site.

Engagement with staff

A bulletin has been issued to learning disability staff to share this information with them directly and there will be visits taking place to both Carseview and Strathmartine by the leadership team and representatives from HR over the next week to allow staff to ask any questions they may have.

A further staff bulletin will be issued next week which will include FAQs based on any feedback received from staff.

The staff updates will also be issued to staff based at Murray Royal Hospital and staff engagement sessions are being arranged to allow them the opportunity to find out more about the moves and the services which will be coming on site.

We are committed to continuing to engage with our workforce throughout this programme to ensure they are supported.

Engagement with patients, families and carers

Our patient and carer participation workstream will work with advocacy services, families and patients to share this update with support from our clinical teams. We will also work with families and patients to arrange visits to Rannoch and Faskally wards during July and August to allow them to see the new accommodation.

Throughout these next stages of the transition programme we will continue to work closely with patients and families to make sure they are fully involved to deliver better care environments for our patients.

Engagement with other stakeholders

We are also keeping our Board members, Area Partnership Forum, Area Clinical Forum, elected members and voluntary sector partners updated with progress.

Next steps for the Task and Finish Group

The Task and Finish Group will focus on delivering what’s required for Phase 1 and 2, making sure that all services and teams are working together to confirm dates and logistics for the moves.