PRESS RELEASE

February 10th, 2009

MSP warns health board 'be prepared'.

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has expressed disappointment that a pre-Christmas warning to the Scottish Government and the health boards about health pressures wasn't heeded.

Mr McNeil had told Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon that a number of factors were set to impact on health provision all over the country and that extra measures should be implemented to ensure front-line services weren't affected.

Yet this week he had to force an apology from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde after a constituent had her Christmas Day marred by their blunder.

A misprint in a NHS pamphlet sent the woman on a wild goose chase in search of medication for her seriously ill father.

The MSP welcomed the apology from the NHS but warned that more precautions had to be in place to avoid a repeat this year.

Duncan McNeil MSP said: “I expressed concern last year about preparations for winter and unfortunately it seems this was well founded.

“This incident was certainly regrettable and would have inconvenienced other families dealing with illness over the Christmas period.

“While I welcome this apology, the Scottish Government and the NHS must do more to ensure it meets its duties and responsibilities to the public during this difficult and strained time of year.”

ENDS