Springburn MSP raises issue in Scottish Parliament

Health Secretary urged to think again over Stobhill panel     09/04/08

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon has defended her decision to reject calls to set up an independent inquiry into the future of Stobhill Hospital.

Campaigners are currently calling for people to sign a petition demanding an Independent Scrutiny Panel be set up, similar to those that saved A&E departments at Ayr and Monklands hospitals, to revisit the decision to close Stobhill’s casualty unit.

Springburn MSP Paul Martin raised the issue at the Scottish Parliament.  During ‘Question Time’ he asked Ms Sturgeon: “Does the minister understand the disappointment of the community that lives in the area around Stobhill Hospital about the fact that the Scottish Government has not been willing to appoint an independent scrutiny panel, which would have allowed for proper scrutiny of previous decisions by the health board in connection with the delivery of acute services at Stobhill Hospital?

But Ms Sturgeon repeated her stance that it was too late to make changes to plans for the hospital.  She said: “Since I took up the job of Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing, I have been open, honest and frank in making it clear that I cannot undo all the decisions that the previous administration took.  In the case to which Paul Martin refers, the decision was taken several years ago, and its implementation is now at an advanced stage.  In my time as Cabinet Secretary, I have also made it clear that the Government is committed to local provision of health services, that is why we set up an independent scrutiny panel that led us to overturn the decisions to close accident and emergency services at Ayr and Monklands hospitals, and why this Government, will continue to act in the best interests of local health services.”