Perth Royal Infirmary surgery withdrawal warning
The removal of weekend emergency surgery from Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) has been attacked as a "cut too far" by an MP.
- By Richard Burdge
- Published in the Courier : 21.07.10
- Published online : 21.07.10 @ 10.20am
Ochil and South Perthshire MP Gordon Banks even went so far as to suggest the extra travelling time required to get to Dundee could place his constituents at risk.
He was voicing his concerns in the wake of the revelation staff at PRI had been told no operations would take place at the hospital between 6pm on Fridays and 8am on Mondays, with patients being transferred to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee instead.
"I understand health boards and other public services are facing budgetary pressures, but this move does appear a cut too far," said Mr Banks.
"When cuts directly impact upon patient care and safety then serious questions have to be asked. My constituents in Crieff are already far enough away from Perth Royal. Now they will be asked to travel another 30 minutes further to Dundee for emergency surgical treatment. Those extra minutes could be the difference between life and death.
"I've already had constituents raise serious concerns with regard to ambulance service cover in places such as Crieff — it's unlikely this situation is going to improve if we're asking our ambulance crews to make an additional one-hour round trip to Dundee.
"I'm already hearing rumours that more cuts are on the way and it would appear the stopping of emergency surgery on weekends is the tip of the iceberg for Perth. I will be writing to NHS Tayside to find out the reasons behind this move."
NHS Tayside said the move would ensure a safe level of cover for local people as PRI experienced weekend staffing difficulties.
10.57am - 21.07.2010 Mrs Herd - Perth, Scotland Report This
I would like to add that there is also the added expense of getting home from Dundee, my son had to have an emergency op was taken to Ninewells in the middle of the night for the op and then the next day was told it's now up to you how you get home,What would happen if he couldn't arrange transport
05.15pm - 22.07.2010 James Yearly - Dundee, UK Report This
The NHS offers treatment at no charge at the point of delivery. Transport is a matter for patients to arrange!...no wonder the NHS has no money if it has to arrange transport for people too! In years gone by people travelled miles and miles to get treatment!
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