Hospital ward fears

Plans to strip back a vital health service has been described as further evidence of “downgrading” at Ayr Hospital.

That’s the view of MSP John Scott ahead of vital vascular services being switched to East Kilbride.

Some patients now face a 130- mile around trek to Hairmyres for treatment with Ayr’s 15- bed unit set to be impacted in April.

Ayr MSP Mr Scott said: “It’s further evidence of the downgrading of Ayr Hospital.”

Plans to strip back a vital ward at Ayr Hospital will leave patients as “second class citizens”.

That’s the bombshell claim from NHS insiders ahead of vital vascular services being switched to East Kilbride.

Patients now face a trek to Hairmyres for treatment from April.

Only day patients and consultant appointments will remain at Ayr.

The move was this week branded “further evidence of the downgrading” of the hospital.

Patients as far south as Ballantrae will now face a 65 mile journey to access the nearest facility.

One NHS insider told the Post: “It is going to be a huge loss for the patients and their families.

“At present, someone coming to Ayr could spend anything up to eight weeks in hospital receiving their surgery and then rehab.

“That same level of time just won’t be afforded to them at Hairmyres. They will be kicked out far earlier after their treatment and repatriated back down to Ayrshire to continue their recovery.

“In theory it should be the same level of service but the concern is patients from this area will find themselves feeling like second class citizens.

“The lack of consultation has been startling and it feels like the decision was just driven through.”

Ayr MSP, John Scott ( pictured right), said the move would be “yet another blow to our local general hospital”.

He added: “It’s a proposal I have opposed in the past and will continue to argue against.

“It would mean the loss of what is already a centre of excellence for vascular surgery at Ayr.

“And by moving the service a further 30 miles away to the outskirts of East Kilbride would inevitably have a detrimental effect on both patients and their family members, wanting to visit following surgery and during rehabilitation.

“It’s also in my view yet further evidence of the downgrading of Ayr Hospital, which has already seen the removal of a series of local services over the past decade.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson claimed the move was being led by NHS Ayrshire & Arran and said “the Health Board advise that the majority of the vascular care will be delivered from University Hospital Ayr”.

They added: “As with all cases of local service change, the Scottish Government expects all Health Boards to engage with all local stakeholders and understand that Mr Scott recently met with the Chief Executive of NHS Ayrshire & Arran to raise his concerns.

“Any ser vice change proposals that are designated as major change must be subject to formal public consultation and, ultimately, Ministerial approval.”

Joanne Edwards, Ayrshire & Arran’s director of Acute Services, added: “The majority of the vascular service will continue to be delivered within NHS Ayrshire & Arran, this includes all non- arterial day case activity and outpatient services.

“More complex inpatient vascular procedures will be performed at University Hospital Hairmyres from April as part of a regional hub arrangement between NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Dumfries & Galloway.”

It is yet further evidence of the downgrading of Ayr Hospital