Jamie Hepburn, SNP MSP for Cumbernauld & Kilsyth, has formally objected to NHS Lanarkshire plans to centralise Treatment Room services in the area.
Treatment Rooms, often based in GP surgeries, provide a range of services such as taking blood samples, wound management and dressings. NHS Lanarkshire has proposed a range of reforms to how these services are resourced and provided [1]. The plans also include proposals to close Treatment Rooms in Cumbernauld’s Central Health Centre, Abronhill, Kildrum, Condorrat, Craigmarloch and Kennilwoth Medical Practices, and centralise them in one location once premises become available. Jamie has raised a number of concerns about the proposal, and has been contacted by a number of constituents who are also opposed to the plans.
In his submission to NHS Lanarkshire, Jamie Hepburn MSP said:
“Proposals to move towards one treatment room site in the NHS Lanarkshire North area have provoked serious concerns, which I share, among my constituents and the Cumbernauld Community Forum. There has already been widespread local concern and opposition to the proposed removal of X-ray facilities from the Cumbernauld Central Medical Centre.
“Closure and centralisation of treatment room services within the Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency will be seen by the community as further evidence that NHS Lanarkshire is not taking into account wider factors and local circumstances when reviewing service provision.
“The Cumbernauld and Kilsyth constituency is a centre of population growth, which will bring with it increased demand for health services. Pre-emptive reduction or withdrawal of services could lead to increased costs in the future should these need to be scaled-up again to meet rising demand.
“Public transport links and bus routes are often not suitable for elderly or vulnerable groups who currently rely on being able to access existing local services, and private transport costs to more distant treatment centres can be prohibitive. Transport difficulties this could lead to delayed and cancelled appointments, some of the very inefficiencies this review is setting out to avoid.
“While the review proposals may well contain some steps that will modernise and improve aspects of the treatment room service, I do not believe that the case has been made for closing the existing centres in the NHS Lanarkshire North area.”
Commenting, Jamie Hepburn MSP added:
“NHS Lanarkshire’s proposals to centralise Treatment Room services in Cumbernauld & Kilsyth have provoked widespread concern among local residents, and I wanted to reflect this in my submission to the Health Board.
“Taking local factors into account is hugely important in deciding how local health services should be provided, and I hope NHS Lanarkshire will listen to the concerns which are being expressed about the plans for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.
“I would encourage anyone else who wants to make their feelings on this issue known to contact NHS Lanarkshire before the consultation ends on 8th July.”
Details of the consultation can be found on the NHS Lanarkshire website, and comments submitted to Comments should be submitted by Friday 8 July 2011 to [email protected] or write to Anne Armstrong, Divisional Director of Nursing – Primary Care, NHS Lanarkshire Headquarters, Kirklands, Fallside Road, Bothwell, G71 8BB.
