Press Release
10th October 2003
McNeil
Questions Timing of Maternity Contingency Announcement
Commenting
on today’s announcement by NHS Argyll and Clyde that it will implement its
contingency plans for the provision of Maternity and Children’s services on
the 31st October 2003, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan
McNeil, said:
“There
are those within the community who will see this as a cynical move – and who
could blame them?
“Is
it purely a co-incidence that, as the Health Minister considers whether to
approve the Health Board’s plans, senior clinicians are flexing their muscles
in this way? They are sending a
very clear message – give us what we want, centralise the service in Paisley,
or we’ll shut it down at the end of the month.
“I plan to speak to the
Health Minister shortly and will urge him to stand firm against these tactics.
The long-term future of the NHS cannot be secured if it is run on the
basis of reacting to short-term pressures.“
Mr
McNeil also confirmed that he had made efforts to speak directly to the Health
Board Chairman and Chief Executive on hearing the news this morning.
Unfortunately both were on holiday.
ENDS
Back to Current Press Releases
[ HOME ] [ News ] [ Report to the People ] [ Interact ] [ Links ] [ E-Mail ]
[ Copyright ] [ UK Online ] [ Scottish Parliament ]