Press Release
11th August 2003
McNeil
Demands Truth on Cross-Boundary Co-operation
MSP
for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, today described his shock over
claims that NHS obstinacy has led to the “ludicrous anomaly” of two
neighbouring Health Boards proposing to site two hospitals providing the same
services side-by-side.
Currently,
Argyll and Clyde NHS Board wishes to centralise all consultant-led inpatient
services at the Royal Alexandria Hospital in Paisley. Greater Glasgow NHS Board is carrying out a similar exercise
at the Southern General in Glasgow – seven miles from Paisley’s RAH.
“If
this is true, I am absolutely shocked,” Mr McNeil said today.
“I’m no fan of NHS bureaucracy, but even I honestly can’t believe
two neighbouring Boards would actually refuse
the chance to work together in the interests of their patients.
“I
have therefore written to the Chief Executives of the Boards concerned, asking
that they confirm whether these reports are correct.”
He
continued:
“As
a result of the plans which are currently on the table, we are now faced with
the ludicrous prospect of two hospitals sited just seven miles apart, serving
some 800,000 women and children.
“Would
B&Q or IKEA open two massive stores right next to each other?
Would we build two new police stations, airports or anything else for
that matter cheek by jowl?
“So
why on earth does anyone think it is acceptable in the NHS?“
In
his letter, Mr McNeil says:
“That
NHS Argyll and Clyde would opt to centralise a service in a hospital which is on
the periphery of its area is surprising in itself. But when its neighbouring Health Board, Greater Glasgow, is
reported to be planning to consolidate the same services in a hospital a mere
seven miles away, it seems simply illogical.
“This
anomaly has raised questions over why, when two neighbouring Boards were
carrying out similar reviews, neither appears to have given significant
consideration to the other’s plans. Indeed,
in Argyll and Clyde’s 50,000 word proposal for the future of maternity
services, only just over one hundred refer to the Greater Glasgow review.
I am deeply concerned at this apparent lack of cross-boundary
co-operation and, having made some initial enquiries on my constituents’
behalf, am advised that approaches made by Argyll and Clyde to Greater Glasgow
to discuss the possibility of joint working were rebuffed.”
ENDS
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