Published: Friday, 4th July, 2008 09:00
Sturgeon calls for new Vale enquiry
By Steve McElroy
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MORE CONTROVERSY: Vale Hospital.
AN independent expert review of specialist services at the Vale of Leven Hospital has been ordered.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon sanctioned the probe into emergency medical care and ruled that it must take place BEFORE any further consultation can be carried out on the future of unscheduled medical admissions.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) have been leading a bid to axe emergency care at the Vale, but Miss Sturgeon announced the latest twist in the long-running battle on Monday.
The decision comes in the wake of the report from the Independent Scrutiny Panel, commissioned by the Scottish Government last year, to review proposed service change at the Vale.
The panel suggested that the Board should explore further whether a safe anaesthetics service could be sustained at the hospital in order to evaluate alternative ways of delivering care.
Ms Sturgeon has now asked for a team of three expert clinicians to carry out a review of anaesthetic services. Their work will begin this week. They will then report their findings to the Health Secretary.
Ms Sturgeon said: “The Independent Scrutiny Panel looked at the proposals made by GGC Health Board for future services at the Vale of Leven. The panel felt that options that might retain unscheduled medical admission should be further tested.
“As I have said many times before it is my firm belief that any significant service changes must be the subject of rigorous independent scrutiny before public consultation can take place. The identification of the need for further work reinforces the value of independent scrutiny.
“It is imperative that the local community has access to as clear a picture as possible, including that all viable service options have been considered.”
Ms Sturgeon stressed: “I want to assure the community served by the Vale Hospital that I will take a comprehensive view on the future of unscheduled medical admission services. I am keen to avoid undue delay to this process to prevent further anxiety about local services but I believe this further study is critical.
“I am confident that the clinicians appointed to carry out this analysis will provide a robust assessment of the feasibility of these services.”
The review team are Professor Chris Dodd and Dr Peter Nightingale — both of the Royal College of Anaesthetists in England — and James Ferguson, Consultant Surgeon in emergency medicine with NHS Grampian.
They will consider clinical data gathered at the Vale on unscheduled medical admissions patients and an analysis of patient care and outcomes, mortality rates, transfer rates and repeat admission rates and compare these with similar hospitals.
The team will also probe the clinical sustainability of the current anaesthetic service and its ability to provide out of hours cover for unscheduled medical admissions.
Helensburgh and Lomond MSP Jackie Baillie greeted the announcement with a cautious welcome, and said: “It is essential that there is a safe and sustainable anaesthetic service at the Vale of Leven Hospital.
“I trust that the expert review will consider every option for keeping this service. The SNP promised to keep health services local and this area has always been very clear that it is not acceptable to trek for miles across the Erskine Bridge to access basic services.At the end of the day, the decision rests with the Cabinet Secretary for Health. She must therefore do everything in her power to retain unscheduled medical admissions at the Vale.”
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