Stop the closure of Loanesk Ward at Midlothian Community Hospital


Stop the closure of Loanesk Ward at Midlothian Community Hospital
Recent signers:
Carol Ramage and 19 others have signed recently.
The Issue
My mum is currently receiving exceptional care at the Loanesk Ward within the Midlothian Community Hospital. This ward is not just a place of care, it is where families, friends, and patients in need of palliative care find support, understanding, and compassion. It is a place where dignity is preserved, and every individual is treated with the utmost respect. Without this palliative care ward, where will future patients and families seeking much-needed support find the care that they truly deserve?
The proposed closure of Loanesk Ward is not just a logistical adjustment; it's a decision that deeply impacts those who rely on these services. Midlothian Community Hospital has long been a beacon of hope for families and individuals needing specialized, compassionate, and professional palliative care. Its closure threatens to leave a gaping hole in our community’s health resources, particularly for those requiring end-of-life care. This should never be a statistic; it should be a responsibility to care for our community’s most vulnerable members.
Consider that Midlothian, like many regions, is expected to see a rise in the aging population over the next decade. According to the National Records of Scotland, the percentage of people aged 65 and over accounted for 19% of the total population in 2019 and is projected to continue rising. With this increase comes a heightened need for palliative care services. Closing Loanesk Ward disregards this growing demand and leaves our community ill-prepared for the future.
By maintaining Loanesk Ward’s operations, we ensure that individuals and their families continue to receive the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve in some of the most challenging times of their lives. The dedicated staff at Loanesk Ward provides not only medical care but also emotional support crucial for patients and their families navigating these difficult journeys.
Let us hold our decision-makers accountable to protect the health services of Midlothian residents. The closure cannot and should not happen. We must stand together and urge the health board to reconsider its plans and prioritize the well-being of our community above all else.
Please join me in standing up for continuous and compassionate palliative care by signing this petition to save Loanesk Ward.
The proposed closure of Loanesk Ward is not just a logistical adjustment; it's a decision that deeply impacts those who rely on these services. Midlothian Community Hospital has long been a beacon of hope for families and individuals needing specialized, compassionate, and professional palliative care. Its closure threatens to leave a gaping hole in our community’s health resources, particularly for those requiring end-of-life care. This should never be a statistic; it should be a responsibility to care for our community’s most vulnerable members.
Consider that Midlothian, like many regions, is expected to see a rise in the aging population over the next decade. According to the National Records of Scotland, the percentage of people aged 65 and over accounted for 19% of the total population in 2019 and is projected to continue rising. With this increase comes a heightened need for palliative care services. Closing Loanesk Ward disregards this growing demand and leaves our community ill-prepared for the future.
By maintaining Loanesk Ward’s operations, we ensure that individuals and their families continue to receive the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve in some of the most challenging times of their lives. The dedicated staff at Loanesk Ward provides not only medical care but also emotional support crucial for patients and their families navigating these difficult journeys.
Let us hold our decision-makers accountable to protect the health services of Midlothian residents. The closure cannot and should not happen. We must stand together and urge the health board to reconsider its plans and prioritize the well-being of our community above all else.
Please join me in standing up for continuous and compassionate palliative care by signing this petition to save Loanesk Ward.
Jayne SteelePetition Starter
1,001
Recent signers:
Carol Ramage and 19 others have signed recently.
The Issue
My mum is currently receiving exceptional care at the Loanesk Ward within the Midlothian Community Hospital. This ward is not just a place of care, it is where families, friends, and patients in need of palliative care find support, understanding, and compassion. It is a place where dignity is preserved, and every individual is treated with the utmost respect. Without this palliative care ward, where will future patients and families seeking much-needed support find the care that they truly deserve?
The proposed closure of Loanesk Ward is not just a logistical adjustment; it's a decision that deeply impacts those who rely on these services. Midlothian Community Hospital has long been a beacon of hope for families and individuals needing specialized, compassionate, and professional palliative care. Its closure threatens to leave a gaping hole in our community’s health resources, particularly for those requiring end-of-life care. This should never be a statistic; it should be a responsibility to care for our community’s most vulnerable members.
Consider that Midlothian, like many regions, is expected to see a rise in the aging population over the next decade. According to the National Records of Scotland, the percentage of people aged 65 and over accounted for 19% of the total population in 2019 and is projected to continue rising. With this increase comes a heightened need for palliative care services. Closing Loanesk Ward disregards this growing demand and leaves our community ill-prepared for the future.
By maintaining Loanesk Ward’s operations, we ensure that individuals and their families continue to receive the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve in some of the most challenging times of their lives. The dedicated staff at Loanesk Ward provides not only medical care but also emotional support crucial for patients and their families navigating these difficult journeys.
Let us hold our decision-makers accountable to protect the health services of Midlothian residents. The closure cannot and should not happen. We must stand together and urge the health board to reconsider its plans and prioritize the well-being of our community above all else.
Please join me in standing up for continuous and compassionate palliative care by signing this petition to save Loanesk Ward.
The proposed closure of Loanesk Ward is not just a logistical adjustment; it's a decision that deeply impacts those who rely on these services. Midlothian Community Hospital has long been a beacon of hope for families and individuals needing specialized, compassionate, and professional palliative care. Its closure threatens to leave a gaping hole in our community’s health resources, particularly for those requiring end-of-life care. This should never be a statistic; it should be a responsibility to care for our community’s most vulnerable members.
Consider that Midlothian, like many regions, is expected to see a rise in the aging population over the next decade. According to the National Records of Scotland, the percentage of people aged 65 and over accounted for 19% of the total population in 2019 and is projected to continue rising. With this increase comes a heightened need for palliative care services. Closing Loanesk Ward disregards this growing demand and leaves our community ill-prepared for the future.
By maintaining Loanesk Ward’s operations, we ensure that individuals and their families continue to receive the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve in some of the most challenging times of their lives. The dedicated staff at Loanesk Ward provides not only medical care but also emotional support crucial for patients and their families navigating these difficult journeys.
Let us hold our decision-makers accountable to protect the health services of Midlothian residents. The closure cannot and should not happen. We must stand together and urge the health board to reconsider its plans and prioritize the well-being of our community above all else.
Please join me in standing up for continuous and compassionate palliative care by signing this petition to save Loanesk Ward.
Jayne SteelePetition Starter
83 people signed today
1,001
The Decision Makers
NHS Lothian Board
Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership
Supporter Voices
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Petition created on 10 April 2026