Hospice needs support

Published 4 Aug 2010 12:00

It was with great sadness I read the recent letter Derek Johnstone (July 14) outlining his concerns of the current management of St Margaret Hospice and its response to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) proposals.

I hope that readers and the many supporters of St Margaret of Scotland Hospice do not get distracted by this correspondence because we need to ensure that we remain focused on what is the key issue at stake, and what the west of Scotland and beyond will lose if we do not fight to reject the current proposals put forward by NHS GGC.

What is at stake is a world class centre of excellence which provides support to those who are at greatest need, not just the patients but also their families.

St Margaret of Scotland Hospice is the largest hospice in Scotland with a 60 beds, comprising 30 continuing-care beds for frail adult patients who require on-going complex medical and nursing care and 30 palliative care beds.

The hospice believes that the two types of provision are complementary - qualified and dedicated nursing staff caring for both groups of patients.

Those of us who have personal experience of St Margaret of Scotland Hospice know full well the excellent care and attention patients and their families receive from all medical and support staff at the hospice.

This excellent service has also been identified in the Care Commission report, published October 2009, which noted in its conclusion that "St Margaret of Scotland provides excellent quality across all aspects of service delivery", a rating which I believe is virtually unheard of.

Given the focus on value for money within the public sector, NHS GGC is receiving above and beyond value for money at St Margaret's.

The current hospice set-up ensures that every patient receives the best possible medical and emotional care you could hope for and that the patients' dignity is maintained at all times, especially towards the end of their life.

During 2009 I visited St Margaret of Scotland Hospice every day for three months and experienced first hand how the hospice is run.

Their model of providing support for both the frail elderly and palliative care patient is not one which should be weakened but rather strengthened.

Statistics highlight that with an ageing population in Scotland, new diagnoses of cancer may rise from 30,000 cases a year to 35,000 in the next decade.

I am incredulous that the health board is considering altering the first class model of care and medical assistance St Margaret of Scotland Hospice offers to both these groups.

St Margaret of Scotland Hospice needs our support at this time more than ever and NHS GGC must allow St Margaret's current delivery model to continue.

Christine Esson, address supplied

The silent majority

At last someone like Derek Johnstone has had the courage to say what the vast majority of people are thinking and not the tame views as expressed in recent editions of the Clydebank Post.

It is now patently obvious that those who spoke are now very much in the minority and the silent majority will soon let their voices be heard.

Many of them cannot speak out in the way they would like in fear of being victimised as it may be seen as a betrayal of the hospice to tell the truth about the lack of information which the chairman and his deputy must take responsibility for not sharing.

Those who have written in so far in support of the current regime are living on a different planet.

If ever there was a disunited organisation it is now at St Margaret's Hospice.

Let there be no mistake, the chairman and his deputy have failed to keep the public fully informed of his discussions with the health board.

However, there are the chosen few who have put pen to paper, yet the real supporters have had no voice until Mr Johnstone spoke out and I was infuriated that he was castigated for having the audacity to say what the majority of us feel.

Wasn't it very enlightening that the indefatigable Sister Rita even failed to support her own chairman who is now becoming like the captain of a sinking ship?

If he does not stand down then believe me more voices will be heard in calling for his resignation.

If his board cannot convince the chairman and his deputy to go then they themselves really should consider their own positions.

Is this about egos or self-interest or is it about preserving an institution which has served the west of Scotland for 60 years or so?

If the present incumbents continue in post then I doubt the hospice will see a further 60 years.

Why can some people not see that the time has come for them to go and will cling on to power for what?

In the weeks ahead do not be surprised if the silent majority stand up with the cries of "sack the board" - so I would urge the current chairman and deputy chairman, decent men as they may well be, to seriously consider their position and realise that the time for change is now and they should play no part in that change.

The public is grateful for what they have done but it is time for change and the sooner this happens the sooner some kind of normality can be restored within the hospice and within the groups of supporters.

C Bettaney, address supplied

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This letter appeared in Clydebank Post 04 Aug 10

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