The Scottish Parliament’s Health
and Community Care Committee today published its report in response to the petition from
the Stracathro Staff Action Committee.
Announcing the publication, committee
convener Margaret Smith said:
"From the outset the committee decided
that it was not within its remit to pre-empt the outcome of the local Acute Services
Review. However, based on the evidence given to our committee, we could clearly see that
there were issues relating to the Health Board and Trust’s process of communication
and consultation that needed to be addressed.
"Our report acknowledges the strength
of feeling exhibited by the public and staff over the future of Stracathro hospital. And
this must surely reflect the quality of service it has provided over the years to the
Angus and Mearns community.
"On behalf of those staff and the
local community I sincerely hope that Tayside Health Board, Tayside University Hospitals
NHS Trust and the Scottish Executive pay close heed to our recommendations."
The key recommendations of the report are:
- The Committee is concerned about the non compliance with the
terms and spirit of the Human Resource Strategy "Towards a New Way of Working"
and recommend that this is be drawn to the attention of the Executive in an accountability
review of the Health Board and Trust.
- The committee strongly urges the Trust and the Board to
maximise efforts to consult timeously with all levels of staff at Stracathro and the
public in Angus now and at all stages of the Acute Services Review.
The committee’s report is available on
the Parliament’s website or can be purchased from outlets of The Stationery Office.
Malcolm Chisholm, Dorothy-Grace Elder,
Duncan Hamilton, Hugh Henry, Margaret Jamieson, Irene Oldfather, Mary Scanlon, Richard
Simpson, Margaret Smith (Convener), Kay Ullrich, Ben Wallace.
