Kerr slams approach to NHS care in town

Jul 1 2009 by Shona Mitchell, East Kilbride News

LOCAL MSP Andy Kerr has expressed concerns that NHS projects in the town will not come to fruition.

He claims costly investment in Monklands Hospital has wrecked plans for a new community health facility to replace the Hunter Health Centre and improvements to Hairmyres Hospital will not go ahead.

And he blamed the SNP Government’s decision to retain three A&E hospitals in Lanarkshire.

He said: “I am extremely frustrated and concerned that a significant focus in management, clinical and financial terms will be towards attempting to retain Monklands as a full level-three A&E hospital. The consequences of that are massive.

“The vast proportion of capital monies available to NHS Lanarkshire will be required to be spent at Monklands. It will be a drain on the ability of the NHS to provide services throughout the community and as a result the community projects scheduled for East Kilbride under ‘A Picture of Health’ will not come about for a very, very long time.”

He added: “These local projects are not even on the current list of projects and, with the whole focus and effort going into maintaining the three level-three hospitals, the reality is the East Kilbride projects may not happen.

“NHS Lanarkshire claims it will continue with the plans when resources become available but myself and many others are sure they won’t become available – even by 2013 which is when they hope to start the work.”

However, NHS Lanarkshire claim plans are still in place for the East Kilbride projects. A spokesman said: "Plans for a new East Kilbride Community Health Centre to replace Hunter Health Centre and for a new mental health unit at Hairmyres Hospital both remain on the list of developments NHS Lanarkshire intends to take forward.

“The NHS Lanarkshire Board agreed last year these projects would be part of a second tranche of capital developments. Although it is not possible to start building work on these projects before 2013, planning is ongoing to take them as far as current resources allow.

“We are also looking for opportunities to make early interim solutions and improvements.

“Discussions are currently ongoing with South Lanarkshire Council to look at options for a joint development for a new East Kilbride Community Health Centre linked to the overall Civic Centre development.

"Work is also ongoing to continue to develop and improve mental health services at Hairmyres Hospitals in advance of any capital development improvements.

“Last year, two new health developments were officially opened in East Kilbride – a new extension to Greenhills Dental Practice at Greenhills Health Centre; and the Kilbryde Hospice’s Red Deer Drop-In Centre, which is run in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire.”