COTTAGE HOSPITALS – LIBDEM SANITY AMIDST TORY/SNP MADNESS

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 25th Jun 2007

South of Scotland MSP, Jim Hume, has asked for assurances from NHS Borders that the necessary social care provision is in place and is working following the closure of Jedburgh and Coldstream Community Hospitals.

Jim Hume said:-

“My colleague, Euan Robson, together with the two action groups worked tirelessly in campaigning to keep the hospitals open, but sadly the health board took the view that they should close.

“The two hospitals provided excellent palliative and social care including respite care to folk not in a position to live at home for a variety of reasons. The difficulty now is that local folk are obviously concerned that elderly relatives will not receive that care or will face problems in obtaining the care in their home or in the community.

“I have asked NHS Borders’ Chief Executive for an assurance that the new arrangements are not only working, but are being constantly monitored and evaluated to ensure the successful delivery of these essential services to those who rely upon them.

“It is clear that the hospitals will not be re-opened despite Tory MSP, John Lamont’s, promises to voters prior to the election that he would make sure this would happen the day after he was elected.

“And as for Christine Grahame, the SNP member for the South of Scotland, she must have lost all grip on reality after losing the Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale seat again to Libdem Jeremy Purvis because she stated recently in the Southern Reporter that there was a glimmer of hope that the hospitals would be re-opened, a fact that she seemed to pluck from thin air.

“These are hardly constructive contributions and certainly do not help, but I hope that my representation on behalf of constituents will bring some clarity to the debate.”