widget/exchange-29
widget/exchange-30widget/exchange-33
widget/exchange-31

News / NHS board to hear travel policy update in private

NHS Shetland last month agreed to make the ferry its default travel option for patients going to Aberdeen for treatment or appointments.

THE BOARD of NHS Shetland is to hear an update on its controversial plan to transfer most patients to Aberdeen by ferry in private next week.

Last month’s decision – by a margin of six votes to four – to scrap its policy of sending patients primarily by plane and switch to making an overnight ferry the default option has been the subject of heavy criticism.

The health board estimates it will cut costs by around £1 million a year, but over 1,250 people have signed an online petition opposing the measure, which Shetland MSP Tavish Scott has also questioned in the Scottish Parliament.

Late last month NHS Shetland chairman Ian Kinniburgh confirmed that a detailed implementation plan would be discussed at the board’s meeting on Tuesday 18 April.

The board has now decided that the discussion will take place behind closed doors.

NHS Shetland chief executive Ralph Roberts said the health board was clear about the “understandable public interest” in the issue, but said the discussion could not be held in public because “at this stage there is some information that is commercial and in confidence”.

offset-carousel/post-mobile/0

“We would fully intend to have a fuller discussion in public at a future date before any final definitive decision is taken on the next steps,” he said.

“However at this stage because we want to be able to have a full discussion, including commercial issues, it would not be fair to the relevant parties to do this in public.”

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider paying for membership to get additional features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 
Categories
widget/exchange-62widget/pd_widget-6widget/exchange-53widget/pd_widget-7widget/exchange-63widget/exchange-54widget/pd_widget-8widget/exchange-55widget/pd_widget-9widget/exchange-56

Newsletters

Subscribe to a selection of different newsletters from Shetland News, varying from breaking news delivered on the minute, to a weekly round-up of the opinion posts. All delivered straight to your inbox.

Daily Briefing Newsletter Weekly Highlights Newsletter Opinion Newsletter Life in Shetland Newsletter

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Your Privacy

We use cookies on our site to improve your experience.
By using our service, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.

Browser is out-of-date

Shetland News isn't fully functional with this version of .
Head over to the help page for instructions on updating your browser for more security, improved speed and the best overall experience on this site.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please consider paying for membership and get the following features and services: -

  • Remove non-local ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.