Fear decisions have already been taken

Sir, - I attended the recent information event at Forfar Guide Hall organised by Mairi Gougeon MSP on NHS Tayside’s mental health redesign.

A few days later, I attended a further consultation event at the learning and development centre, Stracathro Hospital, organised by NHS Tayside on transforming surgical services in Tayside.

I came away from both events deeply saddened.

While NHS Tayside say they are consulting on the necessary changes to health services, their preferred options do not allow, in my opinion, the opportunity of responses by the general public to impact on the final decisions.

A recent report from the health and sport committee titled ‘Are they involving us? Integration Authorities’ engagement with stakeholders’, is highly critical of some IA’s for failing to have engagement with the general public in a meaningful manner.

‘Box-ticking exercise, tokenisitic and lack of transparency’ are some of the phrases used.

The overall conclusion of the report is, for me, one NHS must consider.

Radical change in health provision in Tayside is vital and does demand difficult decisions.

However, when communities are not allowed to be fully engaged in the decisionmaking process and decisions seem to have been taken already, then is it surprising that very few people attend the consultations, comment on the preferred options or respond to questionnaires? Grahame Lockhart. 15 Scott Street, Brechin.

Picture: Dougie Nicolson. Facilities such as those at Stracathro face closure.