Wednesday 16 December 2009

Labour’s Public Health Spokesman Dr Richard Simpson has backed calls by Dumfries constituency MSP Elaine Murray to keep the cottage hospitals in Lochmaben, Moffat, Langholm and Thornhill open.

Elaine Murray MSP said: "Letters and emails about these hospital closures have been pouring into my office in recent weeks, many of which are from patients and relatives of those who use these hospitals. They are very concerned about what the closure of these hospitals will mean for them.

"The locality of the service is very valued, especially for ease of access for patients and visitors. The elderly and vulnerable will find it difficult to travel the extra distance and will have to choose between enduring a perhaps long and difficult journey or simply not attending.

"I have made my opposition to these plans well known and I will fight to keep these cottage hospitals open. I’d encourage my constituents who are concerned about this to get in touch with me and NHS Dumfries and Galloway and make their views heard."

Dr Richard Simpson, Labour’s Public Health Spokesman, supports Elaine Murray’s call, saying: "'The parliament under both the Labour government and the current administration have thrown their weight behind shifting the balance of care away from the Acute hospitals. These cottage hospitals provide an important and valued community NHS resource.

"Under Labour the Kerr review was very clear that care should be provided as close to communities as was safe. The review of Community hospitals including cottage hospitals strongly supported the valuable role they had to play. "

ENDS

CONTACT - ANDREW MACKENZIE 07769206856