Wishart and Cunningham slam NHS Tayside

Senior SNP politicians have criticised NHS Board members of the Perth and Kinross IJB after they didn’t allow elected members to have a say on the future of Perthshire care homes.

Pete Wishart MP slated the board’s undemocratic procedure of not allowing Cllrs Drysdale, McDade and Reid the opportunity to vote for the status quo at Friday’s meeting.

Mr Wishart MP said:“I was appalled to hear that this decision was made without allowing democratically elected councillors a vote on the matter. There has been a very active campaign from residents’families and concerned members of the public and it is disgraceful that this decision has ignored all of this work. Residents have been badly let down by the manner in which this decision has been taken.

“It is a democratic outrage that this well regarded care home has been scheduled for closure despite cross party support to keep the facility open. As far as I am concerned the fight to save Beechgrove is not over.”

This was echoed by Roseanna Cunningham MSP, who said:“I am extremely disappointed to learn, firstly, that the option being pursued was that which proposed closure of Beechgrove care home, but, secondly, that despite – or perhaps because of – the clearly expressed opposition by local councillors to this recommendation, the matter was not put to a vote, despite amendments being put by local SNP councillor Eric Drysdale and others.

“This decision does not put the processes of the Integration Joint Board in a good light and makes a mockery of democratic accountability when the elected members present were systematically shut down.

“Residents, their families and community representatives have been let down in this process but the campaign continues.

“I would strongly urge Ms Dunion to reconsider her approach on this matter. Elected community representatives should not just be heard on matters of this nature, they should be given an active voice. Shutting down debate in this way is not acceptable.”