Health Board meeting

Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP Sandra Osborne attended the Health Board meeting which decided to go ahead with the changes for the future delivery of health care in Ayrshire and Arran.

She said:
‘It is very welcome that the Health Board has put down caveats to ensure that conditions are met before the changes to A&E can go ahead. The Community casualty facilities in each area, additional ambulances and paramedics, local provision for acute episodes in chronic conditions such as breathing difficulties and local rehabilitation for older people so they can be nearer home. These are undoubtedly a great step forward and represent substantial investment in our health service locally.  This is what should have happened in the first place without putting the cart before the horse and frightening the public with an A&E closure.

But the fact remains that public anxiety remains high on the closure of A&E at Ayr and transport is still an issue. There are also concerns that the package will not be put in place if budgets are cut in the future. I would therefore argue that further consultation should take place before any A&E closure at Ayr  when these services have been up and running and proved their worth, as well as measuring public confidence at that time.’