If that pair had had their way the A&E would have died

Jan 15 2009 by Margaret Shaw, Hamilton Advertiser

IT is very much regretted that the mother-in-law of MSP Michael McMahon took ill recently and had the need of a hospital within the NHS at Monklands – and it is hoped that the good lady is on the mend.

The period of her medical need would seem to have clashed with many others requiring similar attention and treatment.

While the elderly lady was accommodated on a trolley in a corridor, I am sure she was being assessed and any immediate treatment given while a decision was made whether to admit, and if so, allocate a bed.

It is significant that while Michael was making political capital out of the misfortune of his mother-in-law, he failed to reflect that at least she was in a hospital and getting treatment.

If his colleague Andy Kerr, supported by himself, had got their way, there would be no Monklands Hospital A&E to attend.

Subsequently, the demands on the remaining hospitals would have been greater and the problems he portrays would have been exacerbated.

Maybe Mr McMahon and his Labour colleagues should reflect on how effective they were in executive before criticising a government who are trying to correct the many years of Labour misrule in Scotland.

Councillor Jim McGuigan, Bothwell and Uddingston.