Press Release
SAVE THE
RANKIN
17th January 2001
MSP Calls for Health Reviews to be "Put on Hold"
MSP for Greenock & Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, is calling for Health Bosses in the West of Scotland to put their ongoing service reviews "on hold" until they can demonstrate that their boards can co-operate and work effectively in the interests of patients.
In a speech in the Scottish Parliament today, Mr McNeil said:
"While Argyll & Clyde Health Board gives £35 million a year to Greater Glasgow Health Board and 24% of our in-patient day care takes place in Glasgow Hospitals, we have no real say in the Glasgow review.
"It seems that it’s OK for money and patients to cross the Health Board Boundary, but not for ideas or plans to cross what is, after all, an artificial line."
Mr McNeil said that a lack of consultation and co-ordination between Health Boards was leading to illogical outcomes. Indeed, maternity services at the Rankin Maternity Unit in his own constituency are under threat as a result Argyll & Clyde Health Board’s review.
"Greater co-operation over these imaginary Health Board boundaries would prevent us being presented with individual proposals from 2 Health Boards which suggest that lead maternity services for both Boards be concentrated in 2 sites not 10 miles apart," he said.
"They propose maternity services for Glasgow at the Southern General in Govan; maternity services for Argyll & Clyde at the RAH in Paisley; and nothing in between there and Crosshouse in Kilmarnock.
"Given this lack of consultation and co-ordination I would call on Health bosses to put their reviews on hold until we can be assured that their boards work effectively and in the interests of the people of the West of Scotland."
ENDS
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