Outrage at closure of hospital for old and frail
Fears that vulnerable patients will suffer if health board’s plan is given green light
A HEALTH board’s plan to close a rehabilitation hospital that was spared six years ago was condemned by a charity yesterday.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said Lightburn Hospital in Glasgow’s east end would shut because it “no longer fits with modern healthcare”.
It provides services to more than 300 people with Parkinson’s as well as range of services such as stroke rehabilitation, heart and dementia clinics, as well as frailty and fall prevention.
Katherine Crawford, Scotland director of Parkinson’s UK, called the closure plan “desperately sad” and said the hospital provided essential services to vulnerable people in a disadvantaged area.
She added: “We are concerned that the removal of Lightburn as the hub for service delivery presents major challenges.
“Not least will be the issue of access with people with Parkinson’s being forced to make difficult journeys to get the support they need.
“The kind of care that Lightburn provides is community-based rehabilitation and support for people with complex long-term conditions.
“We should be proud of local facilities like the Lightburn and be investing in them, not closing them.
“Parkinson’s UK will do whatever we can to ensure people with Parkinson’s have access to the services they need.
“We will support the Save Lightburn campaign in their continuing struggle to save the hospital.”
NHSGGC said patients affected would use “fit-forpurpose” facilities at Stobhill Hospital.
Announcing the decision after a three-month consultation process, chief executive Jane Grant said: “While Lightburn Hospital and its staff are valued by patients, the service model no longer fits with modern healthcare.
“The consultation gave us the opportunity to engage with service users and their family and friends to understand their feelings on the proposal.
“We listened and responded to feedback throughout the process.”
A previous plan to close Lightburn Hospital was rejected by the Scottish Government in 2011.
Then health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said the interests of local people were best served by keeping it open.
The decision on whether to close Lightburn will now be referred to Health Secretary Shona Robison.
She said: “I have been very clear that if any proposal is to proceed they must effectively address the concerns raised by patients and clinicians in 2011.
“In order to consider all views ahead of my decision, I am keen to meet with local campaigners to hear their views first-hand.”
Scottish Labour’s health spokesman Anas Sarwar said: “Labour want to see Lightburn stay open, as the SNP promised it would. Anything less would be completely unacceptable.”