The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
MSP outlines importance of trauma centre to lure new doctors
Health: Macdonald warning of potential north-east brain drain
A north- east MSP has warned of a potential brain drain from NHS Grampian if the area does not get a flagship trauma centre.
In2014, the Scottish Government announced plans to build four of the life-saving facilities by the end of this year – including one in Aberdeen. But those pro- posals are now on the rocks, with Health Secretary Shona Robison admitting medical experts are unsure about the “sustainability” of the state-of-theart centres.
Now, Lewis Macdonald has warned that if Aberdeen is snubbed it could become difficult to attract top doctors to the region.
The Scottish Labour MSP has now tabled a series of questions to parlia- ment demanding answers about the state of the proposal to build the trauma centre in Aberdeen.
He said: “From conversations with people at the Royal Infirmary, it is clear that having the trauma centre would make it easier to attract experienced doctors to the north- east. Without it, those people
“Having the centre would make it easier to attract doctors”
might choose to go and work elsewhere.
“This really is a very serious issue.”
Announced by Ms Robison’s predecessor, Alex Neil, the trauma centres were intended to treat people with serious injuries, such as those suffered in car crashes or serious falls.
But this week, Ms Robison admitted the building of four specialist emergency units in Scotland’s largest cities – including one at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary – was being reviewed because of conflict-ing advice f r om t op doctors.
She said: “I’ve not come to any conclusions yet. I’ve asked for more work to be done to get it right because we need to get it right for the next 10, 15, 20, 25 years.
“I’m going to take the time tomake sure I take the best advice and get that right.
“Originally we were looking at four centres – and that is still a possibility – but the evidence given to me suggested there could be a range of options.”
Mr Macdonald has now asked the Scottish Government to publish any advice it received before it made the high-profile commitment to build the four centres, with the other three earmarked for Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
NHS Grampian has said its medical chiefs are “continuing to plan for Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to be a major trauma centre in a north of Scotland network”.