SANDRA OSBORNE MP responds to the Scottish Health Minister’s decision on the NHS Ayrshire & Arran Review of Services

Sandra said:

“The Minister’s demands on the Health Board reflect the concerns of the local community and I welcome the extent to which he has listened and responded.
During the consultation, I called for all of the community services, paramedic and transport requirements to be in place before any changes were implemented for A&E and I am pleased with the commitment to do so.

However, that is the approach the Health Board should have taken in the first place instead of putting the cart before the horse and engendering a state of fear and alarm in local people.
 
There will now be time for a more rational and informed appraisal of the implications of having one central trauma unit, before any change is made and once around sixty per cent of casualties are treated in their own community.  I note that Andy Kerr has instructed the Board to explain this better to allay the fears which people have. This is an understatement - but welcome nevertheless.

The £30 million extra investment for theatre development and cancer services at Ayr Hospital gives a lie to the allegation that Ayr was set for closure. Closure was never on the agenda.

I hope we can now go on to build on all of the positive developments in our health service locally which has seen unprecedented levels of investment.  Demand continues to grow on the NHS from every direction and we must be prepared to adapt to changing circumstances but that can only be done with public support.”