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Health Service Forum South East
Minutes of a regular meeting of the Health Service Forum SE held on 8 September 2009 in the Larkfield Centre
Contents
Scottish Health Campaigns Network
The New Victoria Ambulatory Care Hospital (ACH)
Welcome
Margaret Hinds welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained that the speaker from the Scottish Ambulance Service Mr David Robertson was unable to attend as the SAS wanted Mr Graham Kirkland to attend, however at present he is on annual leave. The Forum has offered a date in January 2010 and trust this is suitable.
Apologies
Apologies were received from Douglas McGregor, Alastair Glen, Dorothy Walls,
James Sandeman proposed the adoption of the minutes of the 6 June 2009 and this was seconded by Alva Caldwell. There were no matters arising.
Treasurer's Report
Mary Hamilton reported that there are still a few members dues outstanding. The balance in the bank at the 8 September was £2,517.05
Meeting with Jane Grant
On the 12 August a group of Forum members met with Jane Grant, Chief Operating Officer NHSGG&C Health Board, Dr Cameron Howie and Alex McIntyre. Click here to see the full report of the meeting.
Scottish Health Campaigns Network
The Scottish Health Campaigns Network (SHCN) met with Nicola Sturgeon on the 25 August.
Robert Cumming, the chairman of the SHCN, welcomed moves by the Scottish government on elected health boards, Primary Care and Services Bill and the ‘best compromise’ on Vale of Leven Hospital with satisfactory monitoring in place although there is residual concern over GP/consultant cover.
Whilst accepting Ms Sturgeon’s decision to stand down the monitoring groups in Glasgow Dr Cumming spoke of the need for a possible alternative mechanism to monitor the remaining adult acute developments. The response was that the Monitoring Groups no longer had a function and the Health Board was not keen on a replacement. At the NHSGGC review on the 19 October this issue may be explored.
IT/Data Protection; Ms Sturgeon said that the Electronic Shared Assessment (ESA) was an opt-in system. It requires a patient’s express consent and he/she can opt out. Robert Cumming raised the issue of Public Private key encryption as a means of protecting confidential data. Ms Sturgeon
The Beatson Oncology Centre is coping according to Dr Cumming but there are concerns about the services at Stobhill. Ms Sturgeon stated that waiting times at the Beatson have been reduced with chemo down to two weeks.
Continuing Health Care; There are no plans to close beds, although this is up to health boards. Asked if there is any nationwide study on hospice needs, Ms Sturgeon replied ‘No, individual health boards are required to provide services.
The New Victoria Ambulatory Care Hospital (ACH)
Signage at the ACH is not good and it was noted that computer generated signs with arrows pointing to the department had been pasted to some walls to help patients find their way.
Although the laboratory has been moved to the new ACH, it is not staffed and in fact is a storage area for chairs. Laboratory samples are collected from this new laboratory by a porter for transport to the Victoria Infirmary labs or the Southern General labs. All blood samples from GP surgeries are sent for analysis to the Victoria Infirmary Haematology lab. GP samples for Biochemistry, Bacteriology and Pathology are sent to the Southern General Labs. The Haematology lab at the Southern General is kept busy with maternity work.
The Renal dialysis Units at the Victoria and Stobhill ACHs have not yet opened. The first problem with the type of water to be used in the dialysis, has now been resolved. There is an ongoing difficulty with the filters for the state-of-the-art dialysis machinery installed and this remains a problem. At the meeting a member reported that a friend from the south of
A programme of speakers has been arranged as follows;
13 October 2009 Christine Lang of the Citizens advice on complaints about the NHS
10 November 2009 Richard Copland, Director of IT for the NHSGG&C health Board
08 December Gloria McLouchlin of Scottish Care at Home organisation
Date of Next Meeting
The date of our next meeting is Tuesday 13 October at 7.30 p.m.