Ruglonians have say on NHS care

NHS Lanarkshire has thanked people across Rutherglen and Cambuslang for their help in shaping plans to improve local health services.

Nearly two thousand people participated in the public consultation on NHS Lanarkshire’s healthcare strategy Achieving Excellence from August 2 to November 1.

Despite coming under fire for failing to hold a public meeting in Rutherglen or Cambuslang, NHS Lanarkshire says feedback residents provided through an online survey and by email is being used to update the strategy.

Residents have, the health board said, largely supported plans to create centres of excellence in hospitals for specialist services and ensuring people are treated for health problems at home and in the community wherever possible.

NHS Lanarkshire chief executive Calum Campbell said: “We are grateful to everyone who took the time to contribute to the final version of the strategy.

“Throughout the consultation, there was strong support for the direction of travel and vision in the Achieving Excellence.

“We received a great deal of useful and constructive comments about how best to achieve these. We are using this feedback to update the strategy to ensure we have the right plans in place to deliver high-quality healthcare for the people of Lanarkshire.

“The real work is now underway to turn these plans into improvements to our services.”

The consultation report and implementation process were approved by the NHS Lanarkshire board on November 30, 2016.

The board also received a report from the Scottish Health Council, which set out that the consultation met guidelines.

These documents will be shared with the Scottish Government for consideration, with an updated version of the strategy produced in January 2017.

For more information visit: www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk/ Involved/consultation/ healthcare-strategy .