Hospital pare down denied by chair
Fears over services
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart NHS Tayside’s chairman has dismissed a Perthshire politician’s claim proposals to shift some surgical services from Perth Royal Infirmary to Dundee represents a threat to the future of the hospital.
Speaking after receiving a letter from Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart, Professor John Connell said the Conservative Holyrood representative’s assertion was “simply not correct”.
He also said Mr Stewart had received a “full” response to a letter he wrote raising his concerns about the proposal, which is currently being consulted on, after the former local councillor claimed it seemed to be a “standard reply”.
Mr Stewart told the PA he was “disgusted” with the response he received after writing to Professor Connell regarding the mooted move, which would see Perthshire patients having to travel to Ninewells Hospital for unscheduled surgery if it is eventually approved.
The response, seen by the PA, was written by NHS Tayside’s chief operating officer, Lorna Wiggin, not Professor Connell, setting out the terms of the current consultation, which is open to the public until October 3, and encouraging Mr Stewart to contribute to it.
But following receipt of Ms Wiggin’s letter Mr Stewart said: “I don’t mind admitting that I’m very displeased at this; after writing directly to Professor Connell as chairman of NHS Tayside, one would expect at least an acknowledgement, however to have received merely a standard reply back was a clear payment of lip service to the very real issues in hand.
“Within the letter, I had also asked about what was happening to PRI’s A&E as well as the Intensive Care unit on hearing that these departments were clearly being diluted, with the threat of A&E dealing with only minor cases and Intensive Care only being available at certain times; these issues as well as the previous cutting of the A&E’s out-of-hours times require urgent attention, as the hospital runs the very real risk of being downgraded, which would be an absolute travesty.
“I stand by my previous statement that dark clouds are continuing to hover over PRI and at this moment in time, I feel that my 18 years as a councillor [and] as an ardent campaigner fighting to maintain, retain and sustain the hospital, is clearly being dismissed out of hand.
“Keeping their head in the sand is no way to confront situations like this and NHS Tayside should lead from the front in doing everything it can to ensure the welfare of PRI and its deserving patients.”
Professor Connell has since told the PA: “In response to Mr Stewart’s [comments], I can confirm that he did receive a full and timely response to his inquiry to NHS Tayside.
“In NHS Tayside the most appropriate senior member of the executive team will always support the compiling of any letter to ensure that the information we share is up-to-date and comprehensive.
“In this case the chief operating officer was the most appropriate and senior person to compile a response in relation to Mr Stewart’s enquiry.
“I was unable to sign this letter in person due to an unexpected period of leave ... and therefore the letter was sent on behalf of NHS Tayside by the chief operating officer to ensure a swift response to Mr Stewart.
“I have explained this to Mr Stewart and I have also offered to meet with him to discuss any remaining concerns he may have.
“In relation to matters that he has raised in relation to PRI, I can reassure him that NHS Tayside is committed to the full public consultation over the proposed changes to surgical services, which launched earlier this month, that will see an increase in the amount of elective surgery carried out in PRI, with the necessary full support services that this implies.
“His suggestion that there is a threat to the future of the hospital is simply not correct.”