MSP INVITES HEALTH MINISTER TO LANGHOLM

5.27.00pm GMT Tue 24th Nov 2009

Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, last night convened a successful public meeting on the future of Langholm's Thomas Hope Hospital in the town.

The MSP hosted the meeting after receiving numerous representations from constituents about NHS Dumfries and Galloway's plans for community hospitals across the region.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Hume said:

"The good turn out proves just how much people value their local hospital. Everyone in the room was clear that they do not want to see the hospital close and that's why I'll be working with people and community councillors to object to the closure plans.

"Amongst the many things that came out of the meeting was that the Health Minister, who has the final say on the health board's decision, should come and see for herself just how valued the hospital is locally, and to see at first hand the impossible logistics of patients and relatives having to travel to Annan.

"I have asked the Minister to meet with myself and a number of local representatives and I hope that she will agree."