News / NHS to hold further talks on patient travel
NHS Shetland will hold more talks with board members in April on its controversial decision to send the majority of its patients for treatment in Aberdeen by ferry.
Chairman Ian Kinniburgh confirmed that details of the plan’s implementation will be discussed at a meeting on 18 April.
Shetland MSP Tavish Scott meanwhile has raised a number of questions and concerns in a lengthy letter to Kinniburgh.
He believes the policy change should be suspended until more consultation has been held with the public and transport operators.
It is thought that the proposals could come into force from May onwards – a delay from the previously mooted 1 April.
The decision prompted anger from the public and politicians alike, with an online petition so far receiving support from over 1,100 people.
Kinniburgh told BBC Radio Shetland that the NHS should be in a position to better inform the public on how the proposals will work in practice after its next board meeting.
“Folk are working on the detailed implementation plan that’s going to be brought to the board on the 18th of April,” he said.
“At that stage we would hope to be in a position to inform the public around the real detail of how this would work in practice.”
However, the health chief stressed that despite public criticism, it looks like the NHS won’t waver on its decision.
“At this point in time, all I can say is that the board have confirmed to shift patients to the boat, as previously reported,” Kinniburgh said.
“I think it would have to take a fairly significant change in circumstances for us to reconsider that decision.”
In a letter written this week, Scott called on NHS Shetland to suspend its policy change until “commercial negotiations” have taken place with Loganair with a view to reducing the health board’s travel bill.
He also called on the health board to undertake a proper public consultation.
“My office has been inundated with queries from extremely concerned constituents, many of whom have been distressed at the prospect of their conditions worsening as a result of this policy,” Scott wrote.
“I am disappointed to note that this policy has raised more concerns than I have ever seen over any previous decision taken by NHS Shetland.
“I am also disappointed that this decision has been taken without recognising the wider impact on Shetland and on transport in particular. I have spoken to Serco NorthLink. This policy will put greater pressure on cabin space on the boat, and not just during the school holiday peaks.
“There will be significant consequences for the air service from Sumburgh to Aberdeen. I would be grateful if NHS Shetland would also publish the detailed financial assessment of how much this policy change could save.”
Scott added that he would be happy to put pressure on the Scottish Government to do more to alleviate the financial constraints placed on NHS Shetland.
He said there also needs to be “greater impetus than before” on exploring video and phone appointments.
Meanwhile, Kinniburgh’s term as NHS Shetland chairman has been extended for a further year to allow the Scottish Government to include the vacancy in a recruitment process involving a number of appointments.
His term had been due to finish at the end of July this year.
The government is also set to start recruiting for a currently unfilled non-executive board member post, as well as two similar roles which will become vacant next year.
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