McNeil
Comments on Health Board Plans
Commenting
on NHS Argyll & Clyde’s proposals for the future shape of acute care in
its area, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, today said:
“I
have long called for more honesty in the health service. And
this report is, if nothing else, certainly honest – brutally so. In contrast to the complacency of the Executive’s Health
Department, to which I listen every other week in the Health Committee, this
document doesn’t pull its punches when it comes to outlining the scale of the
challenge facing the NHS in Argyll & Clyde and throughout Scotland.
“Neither
does it shy away from making recommendations to meet those challenges.
We might not like all of them, but the fact the Board has been up-front
and published its recommendations marks this options document out from those
produced by its predecessors.
“And
there is much in the objectives which will enjoy support.
Modernisation of elderly care and mental health services, for example,
are long overdue. Widening access
to specialist care at local level; the introduction of one-stop clinics; more
flexible opening hours for healthcare services; and the better use of technology
are also welcome.
“But,
of course, the debate will centre on the proposals for Inverclyde Royal Hospital
and the deeply dubious plan to cram most of those in need of emergency inpatient
services into a hospital which is struggling to cope with its current numbers
– the full-to-bursting RAH. The
document has no answers to the questions over access for patients and their
families; safety in emergency situations; and increased waiting times.
Nor does it satisfactorily address the retention and recruitment issues
which will still hamper the general hospitals as they try to compete for staff
with university-led services in Glasgow.
“I
believe that many more procedures can be carried out at Inverclyde Royal than is
proposed at present. And
I would hope that, with trade union representatives and the GPs and consultants
who deliver local services, we can submit alternative proposals to the Board
which would maximise local access to services and retain employment levels here
in Inverclyde.”
ENDS
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