Published: Wednesday, 10th October, 2007 10:00
£1.9m hospice funding crisis
By Colin Hutton
Print Article
Money goes to the private sector
BEDS: Work is well underway on the extension
FUNDING for a hospice which has cared for many Clydebank residents in their final days could be axed in favour of a private healthcare company.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde wants to remove £1.9m funding for St Margaret of Scotland Hospice and instead plough the money into the private Blawarthill Hospital — which is being redeveloped and taken over by the Southern Cross Healthcare Group.
St Margaret’s is currently building a £4.3m extension and the £1.9m had been earmarked to create 30 beds for acute elderly continuing care, all of which the hospice claims will be in jeopardy if the money is lost.
The 30 beds would be moved to Blawarthill Hospice.
On Thursday Clydebank MSP, Des McNulty, quizzed First Minister Alex Salmond at Holyrood about the proposed shift of resources from the hospice to a private company, saying St Margaret’s is left facing “an uncertain future”.
The First Minister responded by saying it is a matter for the health board, adding the SNP wants them to be more accountable to the public.
A health board spokeswoman explained there are discussions with St Margaret’s to find new uses for the beds that will no longer be funded for acute elderly continuing care.
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’s to a privately operated hospital.
“We are committed to stopping that decision, as I’m certain are the people of Clydebank.
“St Margaret’s 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.”
MSP for Clydebank, Des McNulty added: “I’m very concerned that the excellent work of St Margaret’s Hospice could be undermined by the decision to shift 30 places currently provided for acute care at St Margaret’s to Blawarthill Hospital which will be run by a private site provider.
“I know that Nicola Sturgeon is well aware of the situation and the concerns of the hospice over this proposal.
“I raised [the matter] with the First Minister hoping that either he or Nicola Sturgeon would intervene.
“The response from [the First Minister] was to blame the health board.
“But it’s ministers who are responsible for setting the policy agenda and if Nicola Sturgeon can intervene in Monklands to protect services, surely she could intervene to safeguard Scotland’s biggest hospice here in Clydebank.”
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