St Margaret's - a lack of support

Published 27 Jan 2010 13:00

I READ with interest the Post's 'Silent on St Margaret's' article (13/01/10).

The article began: "There is a lack of support for St Margaret's Hospice from the administration at Glasgow City Council..."

How very, very true.

You also mention in your article that Steven Purcell, (one of four councillors in my ward and Glasgow City Council (GCC) leader), would meet with any concerned residents about this issue.

How very, very untrue.

I have tried to meet with Mr Purcell at his surgeries for the past two years on the above subject.

I have had email correspondence with him and he consistently refused to meet with me to discuss the subject.

I contacted Bill Kidd MSP, who wrote to Councillor Purcell on my behalf and which was signed by two other MSPs, and Mr Purcell still refused to meet to discuss the withdrawal of funding to St Margaret's Hospice.

I finally managed to catch him before Christmas at one of his surgeries and I managed two minutes if I was lucky.

Councillor Purcell stated he would not get involved as it was the health board's decision and that was that.

Such a caring attitude displayed by a representative of the Labour Party, I think not.

I have campaigned for the reversal of the decision to withdraw the funding for St Margaret's Hospice as believe that it is the wrong decision.

My mother is currently a patient in the Elderly Care Unit which is at threat if the funding is withdrawn, and my father passed away in the St Joseph's Ward, for patients with advanced life-limiting conditions, just over two years ago. I have been lucky that both my parents, born in Glasgow, received wonderful treatment at St Margaret's, but this may not be the case for Glasgow residents in the future.

Mr Purcell needs to stand up and be the representative of his constituents.

St Margaret's is not a West Dunbartonshire resource.

It has been utilised by many people in Mr Purcell's wards and beyond.

Do the job you are paid to do Mr Purcell and represent the people of Glasgow.

Ninety-thousand signatures on a petition cannot be wrong.

Donald Smith, Drumchapel

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This letter appeared in Clydebank Post 27 Jan 10

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