Press Release

SMITH SLAMS NHS LOTHIAN PROPOSALS FOR PROVISION OF EMERGENCY CARE

25/11/04

Margaret Smith , Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West, has expressed her concern over the future of Accident and Emergency provision in the West of Edinburgh and criticised NHS Lothian's plans to reduce acute services at St. John's Hospital .

Responding to the NHS Lothian consultation “Improving Care, Investing in Change”, Margaret Smith expressed her disappointment that emergency general surgery and trauma orthopaedic services had been removed from St. John's without consultation with local residents. Under the initial proposals, all acute services at the Western General would also have been relocated at the new Royal Infirmary. There has been concern about the transport services available to support any move.

Margaret Smith said:

“It is essential that the Western General maintains its position as an acute hospital, serving not only West Edinburgh but the wider Lothian's area. Fundamentally, constituents want an easily accessible, local health service and the vast majority do not want further services centralised at the infirmary.

“I am also convinced that NHS Lothian must actively engage with the Tram Line 1 proposals and look into the possibility of an alternative route which includes an extra stop at the Western General.

“This has been the most inadequate public consultation document I have read or commented on in more than 9 years as a public representative.”

ENDS