Health  Service  Forum  South  East

Minutes of a regular meeting of the Health Service Forum SE held on 9 December 2008 in the Larkfield Centre

Contents

Welcome

Apologies

Matters arising

Correspondence

Treasurer’s Report

Euthanasia

Parkinson’s disease

South Monitoring Group meeting 12 December 2008

Scotland Patients Association

Next meeting

Welcome

Welcome from the chairman, Margaret Hinds who presented Dr Jean Turner, Chief executive of the Scotland Patients Association. It was agreed that we carry out our business agenda before Dr Turner’s presentation.

Apologies

Douglas McGregor, David Smith, Irene Addie, Eric Canning

It was noted that David Smith had attended the October meeting and a correction was made to the minutes. The adoption of the minutes of the 11 November 2008 was proposed by Dorothy Walls and seconded by James Sandeman.

Matters arising

A letter of appreciation was sent to Dr Hosie and as yet we have not heard anything further on the queries raised at the last meeting.

Correspondence

Prof Douglas MacGregor has been trying without success to speak to Dr Copeland, Director of IT for the Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board. He has now decided to put in writing his queries. We are particularly concerned about patient confidentiality. Nicola Sturgeon has made it clear that the patient should have possession of their own details.

Treasurer’s Report

The balance in the bank at present is £2529.28. It was agreed that a donation of £50 should be made to the Larkfield Centre’s Children’s Christmas party. Margaret Hinds is having problems with the operation of her PC and will try to have it repaired. Members agreed that a computer is essential to her as chairman and authorised expenditure on a laptop should this be necessary.

Euthanasia

There was an open discussion on the subject following the publicity that Margot MacDonald MSP has been giving to the subject recently.

Parkinson’s disease

The Parkinson’s Disease Society have been running a high profile campaign drawing attention to the needs of sufferers in hospital to be given their medication when needed rather than when it suited the medical staff.

South Monitoring Group meeting 12 December 2008

The frustration of our members, Margaret Hinds and James Sandeman, continues. Once more They will try to pursue the monitoring role of the Group.

Scotland Patients Association

Scotland Patients Association is a limited liability company with charitable status and was formed in 1982 with the remit of improving patient care in Scotland with respect and dignity. Dr Jean Turner, retired GP and former MSP for Strathkelvin , joined the Association 18 months ago. There are four Directors. The Association can represent a patient e.g. in front of the petitions committee in the Scottish Parliament. It can also provide financial support to patients for a particular need. A Friendship Bond has launched as a means of raising cash and a Funeral Bond. The design of their letter heading was supplied by Printing College students. Various fund raising schemes have been employed. Margaret Hinds thanked Dr Turner for talking to us about the work of the association.

Calum Kerr, Service Redesign Manager of the Scottish Ambulance Service, has been invited to our next meeting on the 13 January 2009 to give us an update on the redesign of the service as it affects Glasgow. As yet we have not received a response.

Next meeting

Tuesday 13 January 2009 , the Larkfield Centre, at 7.30 p.m.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL