SHOULD CONSULTATION ON COMMUNITY HOSPITALS BE EXTENDED?

Published on Mon 21st Dec 2009

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, has submitted a Parliamentary Question to Scottish Government Ministers on the consultation process currently underway on the future of Dumfries and Galloway's community hospitals.

The MSP has asked the Question in the context of the ongoing study of public transport logistics being carried out by the health board if the five community hospitals are closed.

Jim Hume said:

"My understanding is that the health board is looking at the logistics around public transport arrangements and what this would mean for patients if the five hospitals were closed.

"There has been a suggestion that as a result of this, the consultation should be extended to include the transport study and any recommendations which come out of it.

"I do think that there is merit in extending the consultation, not least because it falls across the Christmas and New Year holiday period when many people will be away and too busy with other things to meet the response deadline of 29th January 2010.

"I'm urging everyone to write NHS Dumfries and Galloway with their views by 29th January and to sign my online petition at www.jimhumemsp.org.uk"

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. Mr Hume's PQ is shown below.

S3W-30214 - Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD) (Date Lodged Thursday, December 17, 2009): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is appropriate for NHS Dumfries and Galloway, while undertaking a formal public consultation on service delivery change, to develop new or more detailed proposals and arguments on aspects of the changes without resubmitting them to full public consultation and extending the consultation period to enable this to be done.

2. People can respond to the consultation by writing to:

FREEPOST

Licence Number RSEA-HJXZ-TCEH

NHS Dumfries and Galloway

Mid North, Crichton Hall

Dumfries

DG1 4TG

or email: dg.feedback@nhs.net