Council to appeal health formula
Cllr Alasdair Bailey Councillors voted in favour of a motion on Wednesday to write to the Scottish Government to take the region’s growing population into consideration in future health service re-designs.
The current NHS Scotland Resource Allocation Committee (NRAC) Formula – used to arrive at the current overall need for resources of each health board area – considers population, age, gender, morbidity, life circumstances and excess costs.
Large scale developments in Kinross, Blairgowrie, Bertha Park and Perth are expected to see the Perth and Kinross population rise significantly over the next 10 to 15 years.
The motion, put forward by Carse of Gowrie councillor Alasdair Bailey and seconded by Strathearn ward’s Rhona Brock, was put to a full council meeting in Loch Leven Community Campus.
Labour member Cllr Bailey said:“I come before council today to ask that we send a message to central government. This is not a message about the current changes under consultation at PRI and Murray Royal for I fear that the horse has already bolted in those cases.
“However, my concern is about the downward direction of travel in services available locally to our residents. I worry that PRI is facing a death by a thousand cuts.
“Therefore I propose that this council asks that Scottish Ministers take Perth and Kinross’projected population growth and ageing demographic into account in future health service redesigns.”
Independent elected member Cllr Brock said:“Perthshire has one of Scotland’s fastest-growing populations and the area deserves a strong level of local health service.”
An amendment was issued by SNP Leader Cllr Dave Doogan, who said: “This motion is misguided and muddled at best and voting for a motion so badly written would make the council look incompetent, damaging our reputation.
“Central government is Westminster and health provision is devolved to the Scottish Government.
“I cannot ask the leader of the Council to write to the Scottish Government and tell it to do something it is already doing. I propose we withdraw the motion.”
Cllr Bailey apologised for his wording and explained that he had meant Scottish Government.
Strathmore elected member Cllr Lewis Simpson questioned democratic services to confirm the competence of the motion, who stated it was “technically competent”.
Fellow Lib Dem Cllr Peter Barrett asked the same of the amendment.
He added: “The motion may not be perfectly written but the sentiment should be supported.
“This is typical of the SNP, to analyse something but not act.”
The motion was supported by 22 votes to 15.