MSP blasts message of ‘one-virus health service’
Efforts to ease the strain on the region’s stretched hospital by urging only emergency patients to attend have been branded “seriously concerning”.
The message came from NHS Forth Valley chiefs via their social media pages last week, with Forth Valley Royal Hospital described as“very busy” - with only those requiring emergency care urged to turn up to A&E.
For all other queries, locals were asked to make use of alternative services including NHS 24 on 111.
However, the message was criticised by Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart, who stressed the need not to create a“one-virus health service”in the region.
Mr Stewart said:“i am seriously concerned at the recent social media messages and reports that NHS Forth Valley is unable to accept any patients unless their conditions are deemed‘life threatening.’
“Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic continues to have an undoubted effect on our health services, there must be a clear message that our hospitals are ready to treat patients at all times; we cannot have a one-virus health service in Forth Valley.
“People living with mental health issues for example – of which there may be many across the region during this current situation – need to know that they have somewhere to go if things become too much.
“The current weather situation also increases the risk of all kinds of accidents, so where are local residents supposed to go if their injury is not ‘life threatening?’
“There is no doubt whatsoever that our fantastically dedicated and resilient NHS front line staff and key workers will be working flat out just now, however this current state of affairs calls management into question.
“What is the current bed and ICU capacity across the NHS region and what contingency plans have been brought into operation?
“The entire situation warrants urgent explanation.”
An NHS Forth Valley spokeswoman said the changes to A&E services were part of a national plan introduced across all health boards in December to ensure that patients had access to the quickest treatment possible for their needs.
The spokeswoman added:“there are no changes to the arrangements for emergency healthcare and people should continue to call 999 or go direct to Forth Valley Royal Hospital for health emergencies.
“However, new arrangements have recently been introduced across Scotland to help people with non-life threatening health conditions quickly access the right care in the right place.
“Anyone with a minor injury or other urgent health issues, including mental health, can now call NHS 24 on 111, day or night.
“They can provide advice or refer them to a local health professional in NHS Forth Valley who can carry out a telephone or video consultation and arrange an appointment for people to be seen at a local healthcare facility, including Forth Valley Royal Hospital, where appropriate.
These new arrangements help people quickly access clinical advice and, in many cases, avoid the need to travel to hospital.
“If people do require to be seen they are given an appointment to reduce the length of time they need to wait and avoid waiting areas from becoming overcrowded to help keep patients and staff safe.
“While Forth Valley Royal Hospital remains very busy we do have contingency plans in place to help manage increasing demand, including for patients who require intensive care.”