The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
MSP says Mulberry Unit closure survey shows ‘inherent bias’
Claim NHS has made it difficult for public to have their say
A consultation on the closure of an Angus mental health facility has been slammed over “bias”.
Doctor short ages at Str ac athro Ho spit al’ s Mulberry psychiatric unit forced staff and patients to shift to the Carseview Centre in Dundee on February 1.
An NHS Tayside consultation on the preferred option – a permanent move to the Ninewells Hospital base – ends on October 3.
Angus North and Mearns MSP Mairi Gougeon has criticised the online form and 823-page supporting document and has called for an urgent review of the “over-complicated” consultation.
Mrs Gougeon, a leading campaigner to retain the unit since the start of 2016, claims the health board is not promoting the full array of options – including retention – among its 15 questions.
She also raised concerns over an accompanying YouTube clip in which associate medical director Neil Prentice only speaks about the preferred option.
The SNP politician has written to board chief executive Lesley McLay and Health Minister Shona Robison asking for an urgent review.
“My concerns relate to the inherent bias towards NHS Tayside’s preferred option – which would see the Mulberry Unit closed – and the over-complicated nature of the consultation,” she said.
“NHS Tayside have made it very difficult for ordinary members of the public to make their voices heard.
“Respondents are being asked to read and digest 823 pages before taking part in the online survey.
“Three questions in that 15-question survey ask how many of those documents respondents have read, yet only one directly relates to the decision that could see the Mulberry Unit closing.
“That question doesn’t even offer the retention of the Mulberry Unit as an option.”
The health board said the decision to consult comes following an 18-month process of option appraisal and option modelling.
The chief officer for Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, Robert Packham, said: “We would like to hear as many views as possible from people across Tayside and would encourage members of the public to take part in the consultation.”
Mrs Gougeon will host consultation events on September 2 at Brechin City Hall, from 10.30am-12.30pm; Montrose Leisure Centre, 1.30-3pm; and on September 9 at Forfar Guide Hall, from 10.30am-noon.