Council recognises the value of peer support

Last week’s East Kilbride News carried a story about an ostomate support group pleading for financial help to continue their work in East Kilbride.

The Providing Ongoing Ostomate Support Scotland group have been meeting in the town’s library since January.

Despite having a successful start, the organisers were worried that without support and funding from local and national government, they won’t be able to continue to help people in South Lanarkshire who have gone through ostomy surgery.

Comments from South Lanarkshire Council and the Scottish Government did not appear. Those comments are as below.

A council spokesman said: “NHS Lanarkshire and SLC fully recognise that peer support is an important element of coping with any condition or illness and health and care staff signpost to community groups and supports as appropriate.

“However, for any group to receive endorsement or support, public agencies need to undertake due diligence to ensure appropriate governance, checks and balances are in place.

“We would strongly encourage any community group with aspirations of formal association and/or support, to follow official channels and protocols so these necessary obligations can be met.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We’re committed to ensuring that the people who require stomas are able to receive the best possible care and support.

“We expect NHS boards to ensure that patients with stomas have appropriate access to a range of professionals, including specialist nurses, to ensure optimum management of their condition.

“Boards have been asked to work in partnership with third-sector organisations, social care partners and patients with specialist conditions in designing and delivering services. Boards make the decisions on where to prioritise this funding based on local need.”