Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Residents still worry despite reassurances
Local residents who attended the health board meeting remain concerned about the impact of the decision on their hospital’s A&E department.
They also hit out at the lack of public consultation given to the move.
Carnbroe man Gerry Somers said:“In the past, the argument was that any downgrading will always, in the consultants’ experience, lead to the diminishing and demise of the A&E department.
“That was the argument a few years ago, and now we’re led to believe that everything is rosy in the garden.
“Just because they’re going to rebuild Monklands Hospital doesn’t mean it will be to the same status – you can rebuild it without an A&E.
“This won’t be interim – once things are implemented it’s hard to get them reversed.
“Where was our consultation, with the Airdrie and Coatbridge forums which represent all aspects of the community? It was never brought to our attention, but you need to engage and gain trust.”
He added:“Wishaw have had to turn people away from their A&E, and now it has to take on trauma cases from Monklands.”
Patrick Rolink, of Airdrie, said:“I’m unconvinced about the A&E element – I certainly do still see this as a downgrade,. It seems strange to have a district general hospital without trauma and orthopaedics.
“If we have a major incident in Airdrie or Coatbridge, do we have the infrastructure in the ambulance service to cope? I’m also concerned about the transport issue, which could impact on a lot of families.
“If they’d consulted properly six or eight months ago my concerns could probably have been dealt with, the whole community could have gone forward and we’d be saying today the health board has a vision; at the moment they have a mess, concerns and distrust.”
Airdrie North councillor Alan Beveridge also highlighted a“l ack of public consultation” with patients and staff.
He told the Advertiser: “I was reassured by the board that a fully functional A&E department would be maintained at Monklands, albeit minus the trauma unit, which I find surprising. I can’t understand how taking services away isn’t downgrading.
“The board state this will not affect the quality of care and service provided, and emphasised the benefit to patients of attending a central trauma unit.
“I maintain this decision was rushed and the board have failed to properly consult the public. Given the handling of this situation I will continue to monitor the actions of the NHS Lanarkshire board, and would urge people to contact their MSP and the health secretary to voice their opinion.”