NHS Tayside surgical services plan launch

NHS Tayside is proposing to make changes to where surgeons, doctors and nurses deliver some general surgical procedures in Tayside.

At the moment, both elective and unscheduled surgery in Tayside is carried out at two sites – Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and Perth Royal Infirmary, while Stracathro Hospital in Angus only does elective surgery.

The proposal will balance the number of operations that can be carried out in all three hospitals with patient demand.

Surgeons, doctors, nurses and other members of the clinical team are leading this proposed change.

The preferred option was then presented to the board of NHS Tayside who agreed that the public should be consulted on the following proposal:

There will continue to be three surgical units at Ninewells, Perth Royal and Stracathro.

All unscheduled surgery should come to Ninewells 24-hours a-day.

An increase in the number of elective surgery patients at Perth Royal to develop PRI as a centre for excellence for elective surgery.

An increase in the number of day case and minor elective surgery patients at Stracathro.

Information about the consultation is available at www.nhstayside.scot. nhs.uk where the public will be able to complete a questionnaire.

Public engagement events including a drop-in and presentation have also been arranged at Stracathro, Pitlochry, Perth and Ninewells in September.