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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2008-2009
I never would have thought that when I became involved in the “Save the Vicky Campaign” in 1992 that in 2009 I would still be involved. I’m not alone. Two people who were already active were Dr Alastair Glen and Dr Matthew Dunnigan, and I am delighted to say still are. A great deal of frustration and sometimes anger and disbelief at the decisions made by Health Boards and politicians, have paved our way. Remember we were told that the NHS was a bottomless pit and couldn’t continue in that fashion, so beds were lost, hospitals closed, with little thought given to the needs of the communities they served. Savings were made by farming out cleaning, laundering and cooking to private companies. Managers being brought in to run NHS hospitals who had no experience of the needs and requirements of hospital services.Transport was ignored. But one thing the Health Boards did was CONSULT. The tragedy was, we at first believed them and spent countless hours responding until in the end we realised it was a waste of time and all responses which did not agree with Boards wishes were discarded. But they had CONSULTED, so tick the box.
The ACAD opens on 12th June 2009, three years later than scheduled. The name of the new hospital is continuing to cause confusion among the users and the staff of GG&C Health Board. Officially it is the NEW VICTORIA HOSPITAL on the billboards. In a recent advert for staff at the new Hospital it was referred to as the new Victoria Infirmary and the new Acute Care Hospital. The Forum pointed this out to the Chief Executive of the Board and received official confirmation that the correct reference is Ambulatory Care Hospital or ACH. If the staff are confused is there any surprise that the public is not aware of the new set up?
At present anyone presenting themselves at the A&E department is triaged by a nurse and streamed as a minor injury or A&E patient. As from June 2009 the Minor Injuries Unit operates out of the new Victoria Hospital and the A&E department will continue in the Victoria Infirmary until at least 2015.
We remain sceptical of the concept of the ACH, which calls for self diagnoses to ascertain if one has a minor or major health problem.If you go to the ACH and it is a major injury how will you be conveyed to the Vicky? If you are walking wounded be careful of the two busy roads you must cross and there is no pedestrian crossing. We have questioned the Board and have been assured that transport will be available if and when required to take patients to the Vic! When the ACH is running at expected capacity of 400,000 treatments per year this could be a very busy junction indeed.
STROKE
Help patients suffering symptoms of a stroke by following S-T-R.: S for SMILE. T for TALK using simple sentences. R RAISE both arms. A fourth has been added STICK OUT YOUR TONGUE. If in any doubt call 999. It is imperative that a scan is done as quickly as possible, certainly within 3 hours of symptoms appearing.
BREAST CANCER
It was reported in the Herald of 6th April “Disfiguring operation is not needed” Dr Kell, a Scottish Researcher said removing a tiny 2mm amount of the surrounding tissue was as effective, and patients were not left with disfiguring surgery. This would be excellent news for sufferers as most women find the loss of a breast, earth shattering.
The next big mountain to climb is illness affecting the elderly.
Alzheimers – Parkinsons – Motorneurone – MS. All of which have devastating effects not only on the sufferer but on their families. While discussing these at the Forum we discovered that most of us who carry Donor cards wrongly thought that our brains were included. This is not so, the card does not allow donations to be made for research purposes. As there is a crying need for not only brains of sufferers of these terrible diseases, not all of whom are elderly, but also healthy brains for control purposes. We would like to have the rules changed, and will write to MSPs for support.
James Sandeman and myself continue to attend the meetings and find them useful and informative and it gives all affiliates an opportunity to raise issues with the Secretary For Health and Well Being. In the past year she has met twice with them. The next meeting is on 6th May 2009 and the Chairman, Dr Robert Cumming, and James will raise the issue of a decision on the future the North and South Monitoring Groups. Dr Alastair Glen will raise on our behalf the issue of IT and continue to pursue the BECAD which both Alastair and Dr David Smith having been pursuing on our behalf for a considerable time. This is the solution to the hospital problems in Middlesex. It is hospital of approximately 380 beds and includes A&E and inpatient beds. Dr Robert Cumming works tirelessly on all issues raised throughout Scotland. We have enourmous respect for him and his boundless energy, combined with his commitment to, and caring for, the patients of the NHS.
One further plus in the present situation is that Nicola Sturgeon is proving so far to be a very good Health Secretary, much better than her predecessors. She meets with patients representatives and listens to them.
Last month the Forum read an announcement from GG&C HB of the early retirement of the Chief Executive Mr Tom Divers, effective from 1st April. He has been responsible for the Acute flagship from the beginning and to have him retire when the ACADs were due to open and the new South Acute Hospital going out to tender, seems odd. If it is a case of retirement due to ill health, he has our sympathy. Mr Robert Calderwood formerly the Chief Operating Officer of the Board has been appointed as the new Chief Executive.
Forum meetings
We have returned to having speakers at the ordinary meetings of the Forum. I would like to express my thanks to the speakers who accepted our invitation and gave their time and energy to keeping us informed.
Last May we had Cathy Cowan, Director of CCHPs South East Glasgow.
June; Alastair Watson, Chairman of SPT on Access to Healthcare Plan
Sept; We raised issues with Health Minister 1.on frequent delay in discharge letters from hospitals 2. Revision of SIGN recommendations on timing of brain scans for stroke victims to within 3 hours.
Oct 1; Reply from Nicola advising that the government is monitoring discharge letters. 2. Paper–lite ACADS queried with Mr McIntyre 3. Sign to revise guide lines on scans following strokes 4. additional £16.5 million to be spent by GG&C HB on 12 overnight beds and 48 rehab beds at Stobhill.
Nov; Dr Heather Hosie Consultant Anaethetist, Chairperson of Glasgow and West of Scotland Day Surgery Association, spoke about Day Surgery at the ACADs.
Dec; Dr Jean Turner, Chairperson of Scotland Patients Association
2009
Jan; Ordinary meeting
Feb; Richard Copeland, Director of IT at GG&C Health Board on IT systems for the ACADs.
Mar; Ordinary meeting .
My last heart felt comments are to the committee who have given me help of incredible worth. Louise Laing, Secretary, has been of enormous help especially during this past year. James Sandeman for his coverage of the South Monitoring Group and the Scottish Health Campaigns Network. Dr Glen for his support and persuance of NHS Services in the S.E. and also attending the SHCN. Dr David Smith for similar support and who also attends the SHCN. Pat Lally whose advice on matters of committees and policies is invaluable. Eric Canning, our architect whose expertise and advice on interpreting plans is also invaluable.Prof D.R.McGregor whose expertise in IT is unquestionable. If only GG&C HB would listen! Aileen Fyfe is due a medal for attending almost every Health Board meeting throughout the year and sending in a report.Our web site is always up to date thanks again to to the computer skills of Aileen. Mary Hamilton for taking on the duties of Treasurer. We are are very grateful to the Directors of the Larkfield Centre for the use of a meeting room every month.
Most importantly my very grateful thanks to the people of the South Side for their loyalty and support over the years.
Margaret Hinds
CHAIRMAN
