The future of St Margaret's Hospice at Clydebank
At the AGM of the Scottish Health Campaigns Network, delegates from the Scotland Patients Association expressed grave concern about the lack of proper consultation by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding the future of St Margaret's Hospice at Clydebank.
Dr Robert Cumming, chairman of the Network, stated " The main problem is the lack of evidential input to the decisions relating to the hospice. An ageing population will require increased facilities not only for patients with terminal illness associated with cancer, but also for care of the elderly. Not all of this care can be provided at home.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde should not be contemplating the closure, or alteration of the function of the superb facilities provided at Clydebank until such studies are available."
Released by:
Malcolm Allan
Press Officer
Scottish Health Campaigns Network.
Contacts:
Dr Robert Cumming 0141 956 2004 mobile 07745 239630
Dr Jean Turner, Chief Executive, Scotland Patients Association 01360 622 893
Margaret Watt, Chairperson, " " " 0141 570 6383
Malcolm Allan Press Officer, Scottish Health Campaigns Network 0141 772 4292 mobile 0781 34330922
Notes to editors:
The Scottish Health Campaigns Network is:
An Independent, Apolitical, Voluntary, Umbrella Organisation.
It Supports :
Communities with health related concerns
Greater transparency in decisions made by health boards
The objectives of the Scotland Patients Association.
It Opposes:
Over centralisation of healthcare
Extension of the private sector within the NHS.
Details on website: www.shcnlive.co.uk
Released by Malcolm Allan 14 February 2009
SHCN AGM - Sat 19 Jan 2008
The influential Scottish Health Campaigns Network
held its AGM on Saturday 19 January.
Delegates from several areas of Scotland agreed that the recent report from the Independent Scrutiny Panel, set up by Nicola Sturgeon, had clearly demonstrated that future decisions of health boards throughout the country must be based on relevant and current evidence.
Anything which falls short of this will be completely unacceptable to communities which have felt threatened by the planned loss of vital services, the result of decisions based on evidence which is now described as flawed and out of date.
The centralisation of services, which has been the cause much concern and unrest, has been called into question by the Royal Colleges. The Scottish Health Campaigns Network sees this as a vindication of its opposition to the adoption of this as a general policy.
The organisation gave general support to the future delivery of health care as outlined in the government's document, 'Better Health, Better Care' which focuses on reducing health inequalities throughout Scotland.
At its next meeting in March, the Network plans to respond to proposals which could result in a number of members of health boards being elected,rather than being appointed by the government.
The Network believes that there is a need to bring greater democracy and transparency to the workings of health boards in order that confidence be restored to the basis on which decisions are reached, decisions which have far reaching consequences on the health of us all.
Released by
Malcolm Allan media contact Scottish Health Campaigns Network 0141 772 4292
Prescription Charges
5 Dec 2007
Proposed changes to prescription charges--
Response by the Scottish Health Campaigns Network" The Scottish Health Campaigns Network warmly welcomed the earlier announcement that prescription charges will be gradually phased out in Scotland as has already taken place in Wales.The further announcement by the Secretary of Health and Wellbeing that, in the meantime, partial relief from charges will be offered to those suffering from chronic conditions by considerably reducing the cost of pre payment certificates, is equally welcomed.The possibility of introducing further anomalies into the system through attempting to extend the list of medical conditions which would qualify patients from exemption has therefore been avoided.Prescription charges have created a barrier to some patients with painful or life disabling conditions and have deterred them from taking advantage of the benefits of available treatment.The removal of this barrier will improve the quality of life for many affected in this way."Released by:Malcolm Allanmedia contact for the Scottish Health Campaigns Network0141 772 4292
Prescription Charges
5 Dec 2007
Proposed changes to prescription charges--
Response by the Scottish Health Campaigns Network" The Scottish Health Campaigns Network warmly welcomed the earlier announcement that prescription charges will be gradually phased out in Scotland as has already taken place in Wales.The further announcement by the Secretary of Health and Wellbeing that, in the meantime, partial relief from charges will be offered to those suffering from chronic conditions by considerably reducing the cost of pre payment certificates, is equally welcomed.The possibility of introducing further anomalies into the system through attempting to extend the list of medical conditions which would qualify patients from exemption has therefore been avoided.Prescription charges have created a barrier to some patients with painful or life disabling conditions and have deterred them from taking advantage of the benefits of available treatment.The removal of this barrier will improve the quality of life for many affected in this way."Released by:Malcolm Allanmedia contact for the Scottish Health Campaigns Network0141 772 4292
PR: Monklands and Ayr reprieve 7/6/07
The Scottish Health Campaigns Network congratulates the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing for honouring the pledges given to the people of Scotland to keep hospital services as local as possible. The original decisions to close A&E units at Monklands and Ayr hospitals, taken by unelected health boards, and the reaction to those decisions by the people in those areas, must demonstrate a failure on the part of the boards to fully engage with people served by them.
As noted by the last Health Committee in its report on 'Reshaping the NHS?' and published in January 2005, "health boards have frequently failed to convince the people they serve of the reasons for proposed changes."
The result has been a loss of trust and goodwill.
Malcolm Allan
Media contact for the Scottish Health Campaigns Network
2 Tofthill Gardens
Bishopbriggs
Glasgow G64 3PD
Tel: 0141 772 4292
Mobile 07813430922
Press Release: Malcolm Allan Dec 05
Press Release 14/11/05 Dr Robert Cumming
Press Release Save Stobhill Fri 20th May 05
Press Release 19th May 05
|
