Politicians and GPS voice concerns over blueprint

Angus Tory MP Kirstene Hair has branded the blueprint as “another disappointing blow” for the area and called for a moratorium on bed reductions.

She said: “I have been working closely with NHS Tayside and community groups following a stream of concerns from constituents about local healthcare provision since my election in June.

“From changes to local hospital procedures, to a mental health model that will almost certainly see an end to general acute psychiatry access within the county, Angus residents feel their services are continuing to erode.

“There will no doubt be very good reasons as to why Brechin and Montrose are no longer suitable as they are. But permanent removal of inpatient beds, with no real option for reopening them if the need arises, is yet another disappointing blow for this area.

“The First Minister has been challenged over why the SNP is reducing the number of beds in main hospitals by almost 2,000. Her answer on Thursday was that more care should be delivered in the community. This is a good thing but cutting beds without creating a place for local people to go will not wash.

“We need a moratorium on bed reductions until the SNP Government finds somewhere for patients to go.”

Angus North and Mearns SNP MSP Mairi Gougeon said: “I don’t think this news will come as a surprise to anyone but it doesn’t make it any more palatable.

“Brechin Infirmary has been under temporary closure since 2015 and even though the Angus IJB have recognised the level of care being delivered at Montrose was ‘exceptional’ they have stated the facility was no longer meeting their needs.

“I know both infirmaries are sorely missed by Brechin and Montrose, and once again North Angus is being impacted by these changes.

“The survey I undertook last year showed that having GP beds available locally is important to people – especially in a rural area where transport isn’t always readily available.

“We now urgently need to be told what the IJB’S plans are for local community beds.”

The concerns over erosion of services also come in the wake of a letter sent by the North East Angus Cluster Practice Quality Lead GPS to cluster members.

Ruth Cranswick, Penny Lockwood, Douglas Walker, Marc Jacobs and Kristien Hintjens outlined their fears and aspirations for community-based care in Brechin, Edzell and Montrose.

The GPS wrote: “The HSCP does not include community GP beds in community care, and we think that they should.

“We take a different view and argue that recruitment is a problem precisely because these community-based units have been threatened with closure for almost 20 years, made so small as to be barely viable, deemed “non-operational” and staff moved from well-staffed units to other Angus units with high levels of staff absence.

“This uncertainty compromises staff morale and leads to more staff losses.”

“Permanent removal of inpatient beds, with no real option for reopening them if the need arises, is yet another disappointing blow for this area. KIRSTENE HAIR MP