MSP: Patients should be listened to

James Kelly MSP has called on Scotland’s First Minister to ensure patients receiving palliative care from The Prince and Princess of Wales are listened to.

The Labour politician raised the issue with Nicola Sturgeon after being contacted by a number of people from Rutherglen and Cambuslang concerned with the move to a centre in East Kilbride.

Patients from both towns receive palliative care from a hospice in Glasgow city centre, but this is set for a switch to Bellahouston Park in the south of the city.

Those concerned are are being set up in a new specialist inpatient unit in East Kilbride. Mr Kelly said any changes must be made in the best interests of patients who deserve the best of end of life care.

He asked Ms Sturgeon at First Minister’s Questions to ensure there is further consultation and criticised the health board for a poor consultation process.

He said: “If palliative care is going to be transferred from the Prince and Princess of Wales hospice to East Kilbride, the change must be made in the best interests of patients.

“I’m concerned there has been too little consultation with GPs and elected representatives.

“A number of doctors who have been in touch with me are worried that there could be issues when transferring these patients needing end of life care.”

The systems must be in place to move them to NHS Lanarkshire, another health board, for their final stage of care.

“Everything has to be done to ensure that the transfer of patients is done in the best interests of all affected and GPs must have the right assurances from officials that the necessary processes are in place.”