Hurt at doubt over vital health issue

Apr 24 2008

I NOTE that the SNP and George Sutherland have been following the debate on Lanark Community Casualty Unit.

I am, therefore, surprised that he could get his facts so spectacularly wrong.

In his letter to the Advertiser last week, Councillor Sutherland refers to the agreement between NHS Lanarkshire and the Scottish Executive on March 20, 2007.

For the avoidance of doubt, on pages 53 and 54 of that document there is a table with the timetable for delivery of all 24 developments proposed under A Picture of Health.

On Carluke Health Centre, it is due to be completed by the first half of 2009 under Labour but delayed to 2010 under the SNP; on the Clydesdale Community Hospital, it is due for completion by the second half of 2011 but delayed until who knows when by the SNP — both developments subject to an agreed full business case, which is standard practice for all developments over £5 million.

Lanark Community Casualty Unit is also detailed in the table and due for completion by the first half of 2008 under Labour, that is now, operational and serving the people of this area but delayed again until some unspecified time under the SNP.

This would not have required a full business case as its cost is under £5 million.

No ambiguity, clearly detailed.

The two lists Councillor Sutherland refers to do, indeed, come into play on June 27 in a document entitled The Review of Monklands A&E and its impact on A Picture of Health when both the community casualty unit and the hospital are detailed as projects no longer guaranteed. That was confirmed as a delay to beyond 2011 by the board on March 26, 2008.

I accept that there is capital in 2010 and 2011 to build the community casualty unit, but there is not revenue to staff and supply the unit.

I agree that these facilities are needed in this area, and under Labour they were to be delivered. But, alas, under the SNP it’s politics first and the needs in Clydesdale a poor second.

Karen Gillon MSP.