|
22 December 03 The Highland Council is to investigate the feasibility of commissioning an independent appraisal of the impact on local communities of vital hospital services. The Council has been very closely involved in voicing the concerns of local communities at proposed NHS reviews of maternity services at Caithness General Hospital, Wick, and the consultant led acute services at the Belford Hospital, Fort William. Their concern is that the current reviews are centred solely on clinical needs.
She said the study could look at the impact on the ambulance service if, for example, maternity services were withdrawn from Caithness General Hospital and the risks facing expectant mothers if they had to travel for three hours to Inverness for treatment.
|
Convener Alison Magee
said: "We need a 360 degree view of this crucial issue. We will
investigate the possibility of appointing an independent person to examine
the impact on a community if vital lifeline services are not available
locally. Finding such a person may be a challenge but it is very much
worth examining as I believe this kind of research will be of assistance
in providing a wider and clearer picture of the impact that locally
available health services have on a community."
Vice-Convener
Michael Foxley said: "This kind of information is essential to highlight
the social impact on a community of local health services. We need to
describe the consequences of certain options on patients and the ambulance
service."
Caithness
Area Chairman Councillor David Flear welcomed the Council's continuing
support of the campaign. He said: "This is a welcome initiative from The
Highland Council and it confirms their support for the retention and
development of our maternity services in Caithness. The public have
supported this campaign in great numbers and I am sure will be delighted
with this development."