Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Doc slammed Monklands A&E axe plans decade ago
Dr Martin Watt strongly criticised the planned closure of Monklands Hospital’s accident and emergency department more than a decade ago.
The then-A&E consultant spoke out in the Advertiser in May 2007, after a decision had been made to close the Airdrie hospital’s casualty department – which was subsequently reversed at the Scottish Parliament.
Speaking about the hugely controversial plan – which would then have seen the department close entirely in 2009 – he said:“What is the biggest hospital? What A&E is the most efficient? Is it working? That’s Monklands. Leave it alone.
“If you travel a longer distance, there are going to be casualties.”
He also recounted a shortage of staff and resources, and said:“At Monklands and other NHS hospitals throughout the country there is simply not enough capacity.
“It is unpalatable that people are dying in our hospitals because doctors and nurses are stretched beyond the limit. They are simply unable to give patients the attention to detail that is required and as a result, unfortunately, people are dying needlessly.”
NHS Lanarkshire had responded to his 2007 statements by saying: “While Dr Watt has a right to express his opinions we are very concerned he would choose to make such allegations without presenting any evidence to support them.
“We have formal arrangements in place where any issues of patient and/or staff safety can be urgently addressed and would expect clinicians to use these routes to express such serious claims.
“Patients can be absolutely confident in the level of care we provide at all three of our acute hospitals.”