£1.9m funding for hospice cut in shift of focus to private hospital
Scotland's biggest hospice yesterday began a campaign to stop its local health board from axeing its funds to focus instead on a private healthcare company.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde wants to remove £1.9m funding for St Margaret of Scotland Hospice in Clydebank - that has a ward of 30 beds for patients requiring acute elderly continuing care.
The health board's focus will instead shift to Blawarthill Hospital, in the Scotstounhill area of Glasgow, which is being redeveloped and taken over by the Southern Cross Healthcare Group.
The prospect of a campaign, co-ordinated by a professional public relations company, by Sister Rita and the other nuns who run the hospice poses a formidable threat to the SNP Government, at a time when it could face a Westminster election and has turned against the expansion of the NHS into the private sector.
Alex Salmond was yesterday quizzed at Holyrood by local Labour MSP Des McNulty about the proposed shift of resources from a hospice to a private company, saying St Margaret is left facing "an uncertain future".
The First Minister responded that it is a matter for the health board, adding the SNP wants them to be more accountable to the public.
A health board spokeswoman later explained there are discussions with St Margaret to find new uses for the beds that will no longer be funded for acute elderly continuing care.
She added: "This includes options to use these beds to provide enhanced residential care or social care as there is a shortage of these services in the west of the city." The hospice part of St Margaret, with another 30 beds mostly caring for younger, terminally ill
people, is not directly affected by the health board's decision, although the hospice claimed the removal of funding could jeopardise the viability of the £4.3m new building under construction.
Professor Leo Martin, chairman of the hospice's board, said: "We very much regret any decision by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde that would take 30 beds from St Margaret to a privately operated hospital. We are committed to stopping that decision, as I'm certain are the people of Clydebank.
"St Margaret has a long relationship with the health board and we are proud of our record of providing excellent hospital care for the people of Clydebank, Glasgow and the west of Scotland".
Mr Salmond, during Holyrood questions, was also asked by one of his own MSPs about the "woefully short supply" of care for terminally ill people in Scotland.
Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Cunninghame North, blamed "years of neglect and disgracefully low levels of underfunding" by the previous Labour/Liberal Democrat administration.
Mr Salmond said all health boards were being required to review palliative care services. "Key to this will be the mainstreaming of ideas from the voluntary sector, where they are valued by patients and have demonstrated their effectiveness and sustainability," he said.
Quizzed about the "right to die" debate highlighted in the Royal College of Physicians and The Herald this week, he responded: "The parliament's health committee has every right to investigate these matters and I hope they will."
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Posted by: durruti on 12:10am Fri 5 Oct 07
The article fails to say who controls the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board and who therefore bears responsibility for this decision. There is only a reference to an anonymous spokeswoman. Surely Douglas Fraser should have named the people who took this decision, and then sought a justification from them, instead of allowing himself to be fobbed off by a bland statement from Ms Anonymous. That's what investigative journalism is all about. And it wouldn't require much investigation would it?
The article fails to say who controls the Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board and who therefore bears responsibility for this decision. There is only a reference to an anonymous spokeswoman. Surely Douglas Fraser should have named the people who took this decision, and then sought a justification from them, instead of allowing himself to be fobbed off by a bland statement from Ms Anonymous. That's what investigative journalism is all about. And it wouldn't require much investigation would it?
Posted by: Jeep, Glasgow on 1:38pm Fri 5 Oct 07
I am disgusted at the treatment which appears to be being metered out to the Hospice in this article. This Hospice provides a valuable, necessary service to older people in this area with an extremely high standard of care, difficult to match. I also suspect the Health Board has gained huge benefits from this service too over the years. I would imagine the Health Board must surely appreciate the high standard of excellence achieved in this area, however it alarms me that the 'spokeswoman' failed to acknowledge this in your article.
It would appear to me from reading your article that the Health Board 'spokeswoman' should be better advised to fulfil the shortage of ‘enhanced residential care or social care’ beds in the West of the city by using the available Blawarthill site rather than cause such major disruption to an already professional first class service provider at St Margaret’s.
I am disgusted at the treatment which appears to be being metered out to the Hospice in this article. This Hospice provides a valuable, necessary service to older people in this area with an extremely high standard of care, difficult to match. I also suspect the Health Board has gained huge benefits from this service too over the years. I would imagine the Health Board must surely appreciate the high standard of excellence achieved in this area, however it alarms me that the 'spokeswoman' failed to acknowledge this in your article.
It would appear to me from reading your article that the Health Board 'spokeswoman' should be better advised to fulfil the shortage of ‘enhanced residential care or social care’ beds in the West of the city by using the available Blawarthill site rather than cause such major disruption to an already professional first class service provider at St Margaret’s.
Posted by: Susan, Clydebank on 5:42pm Fri 5 Oct 07
I cannot begin to express my dismay at the content of your article on St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, particularly given the exceptional level of care given to my grandmother at the Hospice during the last months of her life. It appears the Health Board think they can just move the care at the Hospice to somewhere else – let me tell you, they are wrong!! What happens at the Hospice can’t just be picked up by someone else – the Hospice is “special”, its staff are “special” and the care provided to all of its patients is most definitely “special”. A private company can’t just walk in and think they can do the same. The main reason for the Hospice being so special is because of how it is run – it is run by a Nurse not a financial accountant or a public relations expert or an absent executive.
Why doesn’t the Health Board let its private company at Blawarthill manage the residential and social care, and leave the Hospice alone? No-one would be able to do a better job.
I cannot begin to express my dismay at the content of your article on St Margaret of Scotland Hospice, particularly given the exceptional level of care given to my grandmother at the Hospice during the last months of her life. It appears the Health Board think they can just move the care at the Hospice to somewhere else – let me tell you, they are wrong!! What happens at the Hospice can’t just be picked up by someone else – the Hospice is “special”, its staff are “special” and the care provided to all of its patients is most definitely “special”. A private company can’t just walk in and think they can do the same. The main reason for the Hospice being so special is because of how it is run – it is run by a Nurse not a financial accountant or a public relations expert or an absent executive.
Why doesn’t the Health Board let its private company at Blawarthill manage the residential and social care, and leave the Hospice alone? No-one would be able to do a better job.
Posted by: Dr Guy Haworth, Torrance on 7:59pm Fri 5 Oct 07
I feel the rationale in the decision making by the health board should be made transparent in the awarding of the contract for these beds to Southern Cross (a company that presumably has to make a profit out of the deal whilst the current providers are a non-profit making charity).This leads me to believe that care standards will be sacrificed and/or terms of service for the care staff will be reduced. Saint Margarets Hospice is in the final stages of providing "state of the art" accomodation for these patients costing £4.6 000000 "free of charge" to these patients. Presamably the proposed PFI will cost dearly over the term of contract. Dr Guy Haworth (Hospice Physician at Saint Margarets
I feel the rationale in the decision making by the health board should be made transparent in the awarding of the contract for these beds to Southern Cross (a company that presumably has to make a profit out of the deal whilst the current providers are a non-profit making charity).This leads me to believe that care standards will be sacrificed and/or terms of service for the care staff will be reduced. Saint Margarets Hospice is in the final stages of providing "state of the art" accomodation for these patients costing £4.6 000000 "free of charge" to these patients. Presamably the proposed PFI will cost dearly over the term of contract. Dr Guy Haworth (Hospice Physician at Saint Margarets
Posted by: JLE, glasgow on 9:28am Sat 6 Oct 07
St. Margaret of Scotland Hospice has been a flagship for care of the elderly for many years. It delivers care of the highest standard to the most vulnerable people in our society and there are many patients and families who would testify to this. In this current society where the elderly population is growing and living with illnesses which require specialised medical and nursing care St. Margaret of Scotland provides a source of expertise and a haven of support. To remove funding at this time would be cruel
St. Margaret of Scotland Hospice has been a flagship for care of the elderly for many years. It delivers care of the highest standard to the most vulnerable people in our society and there are many patients and families who would testify to this. In this current society where the elderly population is growing and living with illnesses which require specialised medical and nursing care St. Margaret of Scotland provides a source of expertise and a haven of support. To remove funding at this time would be cruel
Posted by: MsJ, Glasgow on 11:32am Sat 6 Oct 07
GGHB is notorious for failing to take on board the views of the public in any decision they make. It seems Greater Glasgow and Clyde intend to continue in a similar fashion. This should be challenged.
I agree that Douglas Fraser's failure to name names in this article is a bit odd. Why would the spokesperson wish to remain anonymous? Why would any decent journalist be happy to go along with it?
The main issue here is of course the Hospice and I hope those of us who care about it will demand answers.
GGHB is notorious for failing to take on board the views of the public in any decision they make. It seems Greater Glasgow and Clyde intend to continue in a similar fashion. This should be challenged.
I agree that Douglas Fraser's failure to name names in this article is a bit odd. Why would the spokesperson wish to remain anonymous? Why would any decent journalist be happy to go along with it?
The main issue here is of course the Hospice and I hope those of us who care about it will demand answers.
Posted by: Bill Purves on 4:55pm Sun 7 Oct 07
This proposal is a disgrace spawned by the need to put profit over the care of those in the final painful days of their life. The nursing care provided by St Margaret's Hospice is to traditional standards delivered with lashings of love. This so important when caring for patients in the final stages of various and normally very debiltitaing illnesses, which prevet families from coping and caring at home, outwith the capabilities of profit orientated nursing homes. My mother-in-law has a condition that took a NHS Doctor to Switzerland for assisted suicide. This doctor understood that the NHS service or private sector could not provide the level care she would need in the final stages of this illness. St Margaret's is providing that care for my mother-in-law with love and compassion. This level of care must be maintained and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde should be promoting St Margaret's of Scotland as a jewel in the service that they provide and the model for the future care of the elderly. Perhaps the bureacrats and politicians who are considering these plans do not visualise either themselves or someone very close to them requiring these services. Having been at the mercy of different establishments in the last six months I can clearly state there is nowhere else in our NHS area offering this level of care.
This proposal is a disgrace spawned by the need to put profit over the care of those in the final painful days of their life. The nursing care provided by St Margaret's Hospice is to traditional standards delivered with lashings of love. This so important when caring for patients in the final stages of various and normally very debiltitaing illnesses, which prevet families from coping and caring at home, outwith the capabilities of profit orientated nursing homes. My mother-in-law has a condition that took a NHS Doctor to Switzerland for assisted suicide. This doctor understood that the NHS service or private sector could not provide the level care she would need in the final stages of this illness. St Margaret's is providing that care for my mother-in-law with love and compassion. This level of care must be maintained and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde should be promoting St Margaret's of Scotland as a jewel in the service that they provide and the model for the future care of the elderly. Perhaps the bureacrats and politicians who are considering these plans do not visualise either themselves or someone very close to them requiring these services. Having been at the mercy of different establishments in the last six months I can clearly state there is nowhere else in our NHS area offering this level of care.
Posted by: E and D Thomas on 10:42pm Sun 7 Oct 07
We do not understand and would like to know why the edlerly care beds at St Margaret of Scotland Hospice are being removed. The Hospice has provided a quality service for the care of the elderly over many years and is currently completing a £4.6000000 upgrade of its elderly care facilities. In light of this we think it odd the Health Board has awarded a contract for these beds to a private company at Blawarthill Hospital and are in agreement with the comment from Susan of Clydebank who suggests the elderly care beds remain at the Hospice and the residential and social care beds be managed by the private companty at Blawarthill.
We do not understand and would like to know why the edlerly care beds at St Margaret of Scotland Hospice are being removed. The Hospice has provided a quality service for the care of the elderly over many years and is currently completing a £4.6000000 upgrade of its elderly care facilities. In light of this we think it odd the Health Board has awarded a contract for these beds to a private company at Blawarthill Hospital and are in agreement with the comment from Susan of Clydebank who suggests the elderly care beds remain at the Hospice and the residential and social care beds be managed by the private companty at Blawarthill.
Posted by: Ian Kerr, Glasgow on 10:37am Mon 8 Oct 07
Having witnessed the fantastic work first hand this is outrageous. To down grade and erode the care of the elderly is criminal. They are the people who looked after us we have a duty to look after them instead they will be abandoned!! I will be writing to my MP.
Having witnessed the fantastic work first hand this is outrageous. To down grade and erode the care of the elderly is criminal. They are the people who looked after us we have a duty to look after them instead they will be abandoned!! I will be writing to my MP.
Posted by: john d mulholland on 1:34pm Mon 8 Oct 07
I think the reporter should disclose his source ,and ask the question
Who and on what basis was this decision made .
The level of care and experience gained over the years at St Margrets is second to none .
I think the reporter should disclose his source ,and ask the question
Who and on what basis was this decision made .
The level of care and experience gained over the years at St Margrets is second to none .
Posted by: anna king, clydebank on 6:33pm Mon 8 Oct 07
i am shocked at the proposed funding cuts at st margarets hospice,as a family we whitnessed the first class care when my husband was ill and spent his last days.we could not have coped without the care and support given to us ,to think other families in our situation could not receive this care saddens us.its not about profit its about lives
i am shocked at the proposed funding cuts at st margarets hospice,as a family we whitnessed the first class care when my husband was ill and spent his last days.we could not have coped without the care and support given to us ,to think other families in our situation could not receive this care saddens us.its not about profit its about lives
Posted by: Roddy Smith on 12:51pm Tue 9 Oct 07
To the Good People of Glasgow,
It's with a very heavy heart that I am writing comment to this article in the Glasgow Herald with regards to St Margaret’s Hospice in Clydebank having the funding for its geriatric care withdrawn.
I feel very strongly about this situation however also feel quite powerless to be able to do anything constructive to help other than express my own extreme gratitude to the Hospice.
I am sure that you are many testaments to St Margaret’s and the wonderful dedicated staff there however I could not let things go without at least adding my own.
My Mother has been a patient in St Margaret’s for the past almost four years after suffering a major stroke and being left for dead by the NHS, literally.
In the four years that she has been in St Margaret’s neither Mum nor the family have wanted for anything.
All Mum's needs emotionally, physically and spiritually have been looked after by the staff who are totally dedicated to their work and vocation in life.
If Mum has had a bad day then it's very common for the staff to call in ''after hours'' or between shifts just to check that she is OK.
My Mother is just one of many patients in St Margaret’s who all receive the same individual care, respect and attention from all staff.
Every single staff member from Sister Rita down to Susan the hostess are there because of their unique selfless interest and care for other peoples well being and I salute and say many, many thanks to them all
In August of this year sadly my Father joined Mum in St Margaret’s however Dad passed away in St Margaret’s a few weeks ago.
His life and death in the hospice were treated with reverence and respect by everyone.
My brother and I could not have wanted for better and have nothing but praise and admiration for again all the staff.
Their attitude to patients and their families is very humbling and very much an oasis in this selfish cut throat world that we now live in.
My father was a Doctor and Mother a nurse, both founder members of the health service in this country.
Their principals of good honest service with compassion should be upheld and St Margaret’s allowed to continue providing their very unique blend of care, respect and goodness.
Unfortunately I have to work on an international basis and again without the help and care of St Margaret’s and the staff there I would not have been able to function in my professional capacity.
Of this I am sure.
Please, I implore everyone to put their weight behind Sister Rita and the staff at St Margaret’s.
Give them as much help as you possible can to continue this extremely unique and valuable service to society.
I am also sure that I speak for many, many grateful people and their families within the West End of Glasgow.
Kindest regards
Roddy Smith
To the Good People of Glasgow,
It's with a very heavy heart that I am writing comment to this article in the Glasgow Herald with regards to St Margaret’s Hospice in Clydebank having the funding for its geriatric care withdrawn.
I feel very strongly about this situation however also feel quite powerless to be able to do anything constructive to help other than express my own extreme gratitude to the Hospice.
I am sure that you are many testaments to St Margaret’s and the wonderful dedicated staff there however I could not let things go without at least adding my own.
My Mother has been a patient in St Margaret’s for the past almost four years after suffering a major stroke and being left for dead by the NHS, literally.
In the four years that she has been in St Margaret’s neither Mum nor the family have wanted for anything.
All Mum's needs emotionally, physically and spiritually have been looked after by the staff who are totally dedicated to their work and vocation in life.
If Mum has had a bad day then it's very common for the staff to call in ''after hours'' or between shifts just to check that she is OK.
My Mother is just one of many patients in St Margaret’s who all receive the same individual care, respect and attention from all staff.
Every single staff member from Sister Rita down to Susan the hostess are there because of their unique selfless interest and care for other peoples well being and I salute and say many, many thanks to them all
In August of this year sadly my Father joined Mum in St Margaret’s however Dad passed away in St Margaret’s a few weeks ago.
His life and death in the hospice were treated with reverence and respect by everyone.
My brother and I could not have wanted for better and have nothing but praise and admiration for again all the staff.
Their attitude to patients and their families is very humbling and very much an oasis in this selfish cut throat world that we now live in.
My father was a Doctor and Mother a nurse, both founder members of the health service in this country.
Their principals of good honest service with compassion should be upheld and St Margaret’s allowed to continue providing their very unique blend of care, respect and goodness.
Unfortunately I have to work on an international basis and again without the help and care of St Margaret’s and the staff there I would not have been able to function in my professional capacity.
Of this I am sure.
Please, I implore everyone to put their weight behind Sister Rita and the staff at St Margaret’s.
Give them as much help as you possible can to continue this extremely unique and valuable service to society.
I am also sure that I speak for many, many grateful people and their families within the West End of Glasgow.
Kindest regards
Roddy Smith
Posted by: Julie King, Old Kilpatrick on 10:56pm Wed 10 Oct 07
It is very difficult to understand the rationale behind the Health Board's intention to remove the care of the elderly beds from St Margaret of Scotland Hospice as reported in the Herald.
For over 50 years the Hospice has provided unrivalled levels of care to the elderly and terminally ill patients and therefore do not understand the intention to remove these beds from the Hospice. Why not direct the social and residential care needs to the proposed new site? The needs of patients utilising such services are unlikely to require the levels of care provided at the Hospice.
In addition we should not forget that the Hospice is a charitable organisation with no interest in profit. It does not receive 100% funding for any of its patients. Much time and effort is put into fundraising initiatives. In sharp contrast the aims of private care providers is generally for financial gain. Who will meet the shortfall in caring for the elderly patients - the Health Board, the private care provider or perhaps it will be met by a reduction in the care provided - the most likely answer.
Has the Health Board carried out any consultation? This is a proposed change of service and therefore it would seem appropriate to have sought the opinion of the service users. Can the Health Board demonstrate that this will be for the good of the patients? What has prompted the Health Board to feel they have to provide new uses for these beds at the Hospice which have been so well utilised for over 50 years.
It is curious that as the new build progresses with planned completion at the end of this year the Health Board deem it suitable to attempt to utilise the beds for residential care.
The Hospice provides an invaluable service to the community and I hope that all who recognise that will do what they can to support this campaign.
It is very difficult to understand the rationale behind the Health Board's intention to remove the care of the elderly beds from St Margaret of Scotland Hospice as reported in the Herald.
For over 50 years the Hospice has provided unrivalled levels of care to the elderly and terminally ill patients and therefore do not understand the intention to remove these beds from the Hospice. Why not direct the social and residential care needs to the proposed new site? The needs of patients utilising such services are unlikely to require the levels of care provided at the Hospice.
In addition we should not forget that the Hospice is a charitable organisation with no interest in profit. It does not receive 100% funding for any of its patients. Much time and effort is put into fundraising initiatives. In sharp contrast the aims of private care providers is generally for financial gain. Who will meet the shortfall in caring for the elderly patients - the Health Board, the private care provider or perhaps it will be met by a reduction in the care provided - the most likely answer.
Has the Health Board carried out any consultation? This is a proposed change of service and therefore it would seem appropriate to have sought the opinion of the service users. Can the Health Board demonstrate that this will be for the good of the patients? What has prompted the Health Board to feel they have to provide new uses for these beds at the Hospice which have been so well utilised for over 50 years.
It is curious that as the new build progresses with planned completion at the end of this year the Health Board deem it suitable to attempt to utilise the beds for residential care.
The Hospice provides an invaluable service to the community and I hope that all who recognise that will do what they can to support this campaign.
Posted by: gillian hailstones, Glasgow on 2:58pm Fri 12 Oct 07
The Health Board's decision regarding removal of funding from a non-profit making organisation to a privately owned for profit company is at best ludicrous and at worse an unethical and unjust use of public funds. When you consider the consistently high standard of care provided by the Hospice this makes the decision making process even more difficult to comprehend. Not only should this decision be revisited, the mechanism by which it was first reached should be re-examined and the decision making process publically investigated.
The Health Board's decision regarding removal of funding from a non-profit making organisation to a privately owned for profit company is at best ludicrous and at worse an unethical and unjust use of public funds. When you consider the consistently high standard of care provided by the Hospice this makes the decision making process even more difficult to comprehend. Not only should this decision be revisited, the mechanism by which it was first reached should be re-examined and the decision making process publically investigated.
Posted by: Pamela Bell on 8:17pm Fri 12 Oct 07
To whoever made this decision I beg you to THINK AGAIN. the patients of St Margarets hospice are unconditionally loved and cared for by a very caring staff. The patient is considered as the staffs extended family . The elderly ladies and gentlemen in the hospice receive love and caring that is given by a very specialised staff (I can tell you that through my experience in St Margarets Hospice) The elderly consider St Margarets as their home where they have found friendship and people who understand their needs. PLEASE THINK AGAIN.
To whoever made this decision I beg you to THINK AGAIN. the patients of St Margarets hospice are unconditionally loved and cared for by a very caring staff. The patient is considered as the staffs extended family . The elderly ladies and gentlemen in the hospice receive love and caring that is given by a very specialised staff (I can tell you that through my experience in St Margarets Hospice) The elderly consider St Margarets as their home where they have found friendship and people who understand their needs. PLEASE THINK AGAIN.
Posted by: Susan Bradley on 2:16pm Sat 13 Oct 07
The decison to withdraw funding for St Margarets care of the elderly unit is outrageous. The hospice is a charitable organisation whcih has provided a valuable service to the community (and to the Health Service) for many years and I would like to know how the Health Board can justify removing this funding in favour of an organisation which exists purely to make a profit.. The staff provide an extremely high standard of care, not only for patients but also for their families,and I feel fortunate to have been able to witness this on a daily basis.
I agree with previous comments that the residential and social care shoudl be provided at Blawarthill and care of the frail and elderly should remain at the hospice.
To withdraw this funding would be a terrible injustice and a huge loss to the community.
The decison to withdraw funding for St Margarets care of the elderly unit is outrageous. The hospice is a charitable organisation whcih has provided a valuable service to the community (and to the Health Service) for many years and I would like to know how the Health Board can justify removing this funding in favour of an organisation which exists purely to make a profit.. The staff provide an extremely high standard of care, not only for patients but also for their families,and I feel fortunate to have been able to witness this on a daily basis.
I agree with previous comments that the residential and social care shoudl be provided at Blawarthill and care of the frail and elderly should remain at the hospice.
To withdraw this funding would be a terrible injustice and a huge loss to the community.
Posted by: Andrea Martindale, Renfrewshire on 2:17pm Mon 22 Oct 07
[quote][bold]MsJ[/bold] wrote:
GGHB is notorious for failing to take on board the views of the public
in any decision they make. It seems Greater Glasgow and Clyde intend to
continue in a similar fashion. This should be challenged. I agree that
Douglas Fraser's failure to name names in this article is a bit odd.
Why would the spokesperson wish to remain anonymous? Why would any
decent journalist be happy to go along with it? The main issue here is
of course the Hospice and I hope those of us who care about it will
demand answers.[/quote] Having worked in St. Margarets Hospice in the past, I can recall at first hand the high standards of care shown towards the patients, and the love and support given to both patients and their families. It is a special place and its staff have created a homely environment for patients requiring care. In my opinion, it would be a great pity if the proposed funding were to be withdrawn, placing unnecessary financial strain on the service. I ask those responsible to reconsider this.
MsJ wrote:
GGHB is notorious for failing to take on board the views of the public
in any decision they make. It seems Greater Glasgow and Clyde intend to
continue in a similar fashion. This should be challenged. I agree that
Douglas Fraser's failure to name names in this article is a bit odd.
Why would the spokesperson wish to remain anonymous? Why would any
decent journalist be happy to go along with it? The main issue here is
of course the Hospice and I hope those of us who care about it will
demand answers.
Having worked in St. Margarets Hospice in the past, I can recall at first hand the high standards of care shown towards the patients, and the love and support given to both patients and their families. It is a special place and its staff have created a homely environment for patients requiring care. In my opinion, it would be a great pity if the proposed funding were to be withdrawn, placing unnecessary financial strain on the service. I ask those responsible to reconsider this.
Posted by: Leesome, Glasgow on 4:14pm Sun 11 Nov 07
have I absorded this correctly: the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board, a group of people some who are councillors, deciding that a private limited health care company can give better value than the that all ready provided. Envisaged a run down old building, not what the reality is in fact, having visited the web-site, a show piece building with a new build on-route for completion, and lots of information, very professional one must add. This shift of funds' smacks of Doctor as Derek Trotter (health care performer) handing out jobs to their mates in the private sector. Much better eh! when doctor is in control? WELL NOT FOR OUR WALLETS, OR FOR THE WELL BEING OF SCOTLAND'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS... NO, NO, NO: Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board I say veto to any funds running into the greasy palms of yet more private sub-contractors. Who must at all costs make a profit, for that profit then never to return directly to the patient. That Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board cannot make clear sound financial sense and at worse it is blatant mismanagement or corruption?
Sign the petition: http://www.smh.org.u
k/N_Petition.htm
have I absorded this correctly: the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board, a group of people some who are councillors, deciding that a private limited health care company can give better value than the that all ready provided. Envisaged a run down old building, not what the reality is in fact, having visited the web-site, a show piece building with a new build on-route for completion, and lots of information, very professional one must add. This shift of funds' smacks of Doctor as Derek Trotter (health care performer) handing out jobs to their mates in the private sector. Much better eh! when doctor is in control? WELL NOT FOR OUR WALLETS, OR FOR THE WELL BEING OF SCOTLAND'S SONS AND DAUGHTERS... NO, NO, NO: Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board I say veto to any funds running into the greasy palms of yet more private sub-contractors. Who must at all costs make a profit, for that profit then never to return directly to the patient. That Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board cannot make clear sound financial sense and at worse it is blatant mismanagement or corruption?
Sign the petition: http://www.smh.org.u
k/N_Petition.htm
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