Reid calls on Minister to reject plan to downgrade Vale of Leven Hospital (North Tayside Liberal Democrats)

North Tayside Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Reid calls on Minister to reject plan to downgrade Vale of Leven Hospital

February 24, 2009 6:45 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Alan Reid, Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll & Bute, called on Scottish Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon to reject Health Board plans to downgrade the Vale of Leven Hospital. The Health Board want to remove anaesthetics cover from the Vale and close the Christie ward which currently provides an acute mental health admission service.

Mr Reid said;

"Removing anaesthetics cover will force about 2,000 seriously ill patients to go on the long journey to Paisley for their emergency operation. This is unacceptable. This service must be provided locally.Alan Reid MP: Argyll & Bute

"Closing the Christie ward will mean that seriously ill mental health patients will be taken to Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow rather than being treated in their local community."

Alan Reid pointed out that the SNP manifesto for the last election says;

"Most people accept that they may have to travel if they need specialist health treatment. They also expect to have local access to core services like A&E and maternity services. An SNP government will support this expectation by operating a presumption against the centralisation of core hospital services."

Mr Reid said;

"I agree with this statement from the SNP manifesto. I hope the Health Minister does too. If she believes in keeping election promises, she must reject the Health Board's proposals to downgrade the Vale."