Health chief explains surgical future at PRI
Consultation on emergency surgery at Perth hospital
A health boss says a controversial move to stop emergency operations at Perth Royal Infirmary means more planned operations can take place.
Professor Stonebridge, the associate medical director for surgery at the Fair City hospital, spoke with concerned residents during a public meeting on Thursday, September 21, at 2 High Street.
We told you previously that emergency surgery stopped taking place at PRI at the end of August, and now all patients requiring immediate surgery will be transferred 24 miles away to Ninewells.
As a result of this, Professor Stonebridge explained that PRI would now be able to complete more elective surgeries, meaning fewer last minute cancellations on planned surgery.
Around 20 councillors and members of the public were present to ask questions regarding
Emergency surgery stopped taking place at PRI at the end of August the future of surgery at PRI and questioned whether PRI would Professor Stonebridge the biggest concerns proved to be able to handle the additional confirmed that the space freed be how this would affect people return of elective surgery from up at PRI would suffice. living in rural Perthshire, the Ninewells. Cllr Parrott also questioned additional strain the new plans He said: “Will PRI be able the strain this would put on the will put on the ambulance service to handle the flow back of ambulance service. and if this will still be feasible as additional elective surgeries He added: “Ambulance support Perth’s population grows with from Dundee, as mixing both is critical to this option being developments over the coming elective and emergency surgery at viable, and in order for it to work, years. Ninewells would see the benefits this needs to be a joined-up
Councillor Andrew Parrott considerably diluted.” endeavour.”
Professor Stonebridge confirmed that he and Arlene Wood, NHS Tayside general manager for surgery, were in talks with the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Councillor Anne Jarvis asked if the PRI surgeons would be able to make the switch to focus exclusively on elective surgery, and Professor Stonebridge confirmed this would offer no concerns.
Meanwhile, Councillor Stewart Donaldson, who admitted he was “not entirely convinced”, emphasised the need for doing the most possible for patients from the moment they start to receive treatment.
The next consultation will be held at Ninewells hospital today (Tuesday, September 26), with a drop in session from 2-4pm and presentation from 5-7pm.
A public meeting on NHS Tayside is to be hosted at Perth’s Royal George Hotel on Tuesday, October 3, by local Conservative MSPs Murdo Fraser, Alexander Stewart and Liz Smith at 7pm. NHS Tayside will be represented.