Increase in demand for glass

A DAIRY’S five-figure investment in a new glass bottling plant is paying dividends for its customers and the environment.

The family-run North Street Dairy in Forfar has stemmed the tide of 208,000 plastic cartons going to landfill every year.

Growing public awareness of the impact discarded plastic is having on the environment has seen an increase in demand for glass bottles.

Hamish Millar, who runs the business with his parents Norman and Aileen, sister Alison and wife Marlene, said: “We deliver about 2,000 gallons of milk every week in the Forfar and Kirriemuir area.”

As the only remaining dairy in Angus which still processes liquid milk, the family i nvested a fivefigure sum in a new bottling plant after struggling to find glass bottles for their previous equipment.

Although the dairy still “bottles” milk into plastic cartons for local shops, demand for the “rinse and return” glass variety has increased dramatically. NHS Tayside insists they will continue to provide inpatient dermatology at Ninewells.

The health board has admitted that the number of beds, and where patients are treated, are both likely to be reviewed.

No timescale for any changes has been announced.

Currently, Ward 24 at Ninewells Hospital treats dermatology inpatient and outpatients for conditions including psoriasis and eczema.

Today, local MSP Bill Bowman called for clarification from the board’s new management team as to what t he redesign could mean for patients, with concerns that there could be a “detrimental” change for those across the region, particularly outside of Dundee.

The Scottish Conservative member for the North East region, said: “There is clearly unease about the provision of dermatology beds in Tayside.

“I would expect NHS Tayside’s review to make sure there are enough to meet demand – in regional terms.

“As we have seen in the case of mental health, GP beds and maternity services, this may be detrimental to Angus and Perth and Kinross.

FEARS have been raised that a reduction in dermatology beds in Tayside could affect patients with complex skin conditions.

‘‘I will seek an update from NHS Tayside’s new chief executive and chairman shortly.”

However, Professor Colin Fleming, consultant dermatologist for Tayside, said any changes would be to “improve patient outcomes”.

He said: “We would like to reassure the people of Tayside that dermatology patients will continue to have access to inpatient beds and outpatient treatments at Ninewells.

“Our clinical teams have embarked on a programme of transformation to redesign health and care services so that we can continue to deliver person-centred, safe and effective care for all our patients with the workforce which is available to us.

‘‘As part of this, we are l ooking at our inpatient bed models for each clinical service.

“We will continue to provide inpatient dermatology at Ninewells.

‘‘However, the number of beds for dermatology care in the hospital, and where these beds are, is likely to be reviewed.

“Any service change about how dermatology care is delivered in the future in NHS Tayside will be based on the requirement for improvements in patient outcomes and experience.” Bill Bowman MSP.