17 February 2010
Immediate release
 
STRONG ARGUMENTS HEARD AT HOSPITAL MEETING

Elaine Murray MSP and Shadow Health Secretary Jackie Baillie held a public meeting last Friday (12 February) in Moffat Town Hall to hear peoples concerns about the proposed closures of community hospitals.

The closure of community hospitals in Moffat, Lochmaben, Thornhill, Langholm and Kirkcudbright were part of the Health Board’s preferred option outlined in their Clinical Services Strategy. Earlier this month the Health Board announced the consultation had been suspended and options would be revisited next year after the 2011 Scottish Parliamentary elections.

Elaine Murray MSP said: “We heard strong arguments in the meeting for why we need these community hospitals. It’s clear how valued these facilities are and people will fight to stop them closing.

“It’s obvious that the Health Board’s decision to suspend their consultation hasn’t dulled the strength of feeling in these areas; quite the opposite. People are concerned about their motives for stopping the consultation and fearful for what the future will bring.

“It was great to see such a good turnout last Friday as it shows the Health Board this issue isn’t going to go away. I gave them my commitment that I will continue to campaign for these hospitals to remain open.

“I would also like to see Dumfries and Galloway Council take a more vocal stance on this issue and back keeping these hospitals open.”

Claudia Beamish, Labour’s Westminster Candidate for Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweedale, was also at the meeting and added: “People rely on these hospitals and they’re especially important for elderly residents for whom it is important to be close to friends and relatives.

“I’ve made my opposition to these closures clear and I hope the Health Board will listen to the outcry of public opinion and pledge to keep our community hospitals open.

“I hope the Health Board hasn’t cancelled the consultation to simply kick this issue into the long grass expecting that the criticism will die away. The meeting last Friday was a clear signal campaigners are going to keep the pressure up”.

ENDS

CONTACT - ANDREW MACKENZIE 07769206856
 
NOTES

Please find attached two photos:
 
Hospital photo 1 - (L-R on photo): Shadow Health Secretary Jackie Baillie, Councillor Archie Dryburgh, Elaine Murray MSP in Moffat Town Hall.
 
Hospital photo 2 - (L-R on photo): Labour's Westminster Candidate for DCT Claudia Beamish, Elaine Murray MSP, Jackie Baillie outside Moffat Community Hospital.