Msp Urges Salmond To Reverse Closure Of Ae (from The Herald Election Site)

A Labour MSP has called on the SNP to overturn her own party's decision to downgrade Monklands General Hospital if it forms the next Scottish Executive.

Elaine Smith lodged a motion in the new parliament yesterday calling for "this iniquitous decision (to be) reversed as soon as possible".

The Coatbridge and Chryston MSP said the extent of local anger at the decision to cut capacity at the hospital's accident and emergency department must be recognised by the new administration.

Ms Smith said the original decision, which was taken by NHS Lanarkshire, was based on "flawed" information and did not take health needs or social circumstances into account.

She said: "I hope that any administration would at the very least review this decision - but I want it reversed."

The SNP manifesto said the party would "reverse the decision" to downgrade if elected, while local Nationalist candidates in the election lodged themselves on ballot papers with "Save Monklands Hospitals" in brackets beside their names.

Ms Smith added: "Given that they did that and given that Alex Salmond did make a commitment to reversing this decision, I think they ought to do that."

Mr Salmond yesterday confirmed his party's intention to reverse the health board's decision, but warned that the SNP would need the support of other parties in parliament.

"Our priorities are well known and I think you can assume that if we form the government, then we'll follow these priorities," he said.

"It's also the case that if you're in minority government, a great number of things you do are subject to parliamentary will. We understand that as well."

Let's see how united Labour is now! Andy Kerr - are you watching your back?

And what of Jackie Baillie? Will she be petitioning Alex Salmond to stop the Vale of Leven Hospital from being moth-balled? Let's see how they vote when push comes to shove. That Labour party candidates tried to show themselves as battling to save local hospitals when it was their own party that intended to close them was utterly absurd. Was it really about offering better services, or was it simply a cost-cutting exercise that threatened to remove important services from local communities?

Labour'll do a fine job in opposition. Did you not hear Pauline MacNeil's acceptance speech? If there's one thing Labour do well, it's heckle.

Whats this - about faces by Labour already! What will they be urging Alex to save next! I think that considering the 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse are about to ride over the horizon as promised by Labour and Unionist press if the SNP won election - well is she not taking a lot for granted that SNP could reverse Labours closure sorry downgrading at all! I suppose SNP will have to keep its promise to reverse the downgrading of Monklands A&E as they did promise it! Assuming Alex does not destroy planet first! Strange the world did not come to an end! Well at least not so far! Do I hear the rasping sound of knoves being sharpened for Andy Kerr!? Does he have enough room on his back for all the daggers?

Whats this - about faces by Labour already! What will they be urging Alex to save next!
I think that considering the 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse are about to ride over the horizon as promised by Labour and Unionist press if the SNP won election - well is she not taking a lot for granted that SNP could reverse Labours closure sorry downgrading at all! I suppose SNP will have to keep its promise to reverse the downgrading of Monklands A&E as they did promise it! Assuming Alex does not destroy planet first!
Strange the world did not come to an end! Well at least not so far! Do I hear the rasping sound of knoves being sharpened for Andy Kerr!? Does he have enough room on his back for all the daggers?

Look at the bright side. If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election.
You may have got the vote, by claiming Tony Blair was a liar, but that will backfire if you fail.

Although my parents do not live within the Monklands constituency. They are served by Monklands as their local A+E. So to put Ian More right on his claim that Elaine Smith MSP is now jumping ship. She is not jumping ship. She was always against the idea of downgrading this service as was John Reid MP. They both joined protest marches and petitions long before the SNP decided to use this as a vote winner in these constituencies. So please if you are going to slag Andy Kerr. Then fair enough. Afterall he was the Health Minister, but as for Elaine Smith. Her views where well known.

Although my parents do not live within the Monklands constituency. They are served by Monklands as their local A+E.
So to put Ian More right on his claim that Elaine Smith MSP is now jumping ship. She is not jumping ship. She was always against the idea of downgrading this service as was John Reid MP. They both joined protest marches and petitions long before the SNP decided to use this as a vote winner in these constituencies. So please if you are going to slag Andy Kerr. Then fair enough. Afterall he was the Health Minister, but as for Elaine Smith. Her views where well known.

Last week I was told by NHS 24 to take my son to hospital after he had injured his arm. I went to Wishaw Hospital -near where I live - and we waited for three and a half hours before everyone waiting, with minor injuries, were told it might be another five hours before we were seen as there was only one doctor on in casualty. Needless to say most people left, many of whom were children who had hurt themselves in various sporting activities. What is it going to be like for the people of Lanarkshire when Monklands closes?

[quote][bold]Jason4queen[/bold] wrote: Although my parents do not live within the Monklands constituency. They are served by Monklands as their local A+E. So to put Ian More right on his claim that Elaine Smith MSP is now jumping ship. She is not jumping ship. She was always against the idea of downgrading this service as was John Reid MP. They both joined protest marches and petitions long before the SNP decided to use this as a vote winner in these constituencies. So please if you are going to slag Andy Kerr. Then fair enough. Afterall he was the Health Minister, but as for Elaine Smith. Her views where well known.[/quote] The SNP were always opposed to these closures on common sense grounds so they did not just jump on to the band wagon. At least now those Labour ministers opposed to party policy will have a voice.

Jason4queen wrote:
Although my parents do not live within the Monklands constituency. They are served by Monklands as their local A+E. So to put Ian More right on his claim that Elaine Smith MSP is now jumping ship. She is not jumping ship. She was always against the idea of downgrading this service as was John Reid MP. They both joined protest marches and petitions long before the SNP decided to use this as a vote winner in these constituencies. So please if you are going to slag Andy Kerr. Then fair enough. Afterall he was the Health Minister, but as for Elaine Smith. Her views where well known.

The SNP were always opposed to these closures on common sense grounds so they did not just jump on to the band wagon. At least now those Labour ministers opposed to party policy will have a voice.

[quote][bold]Jason4queen[/bold] wrote: Look at the bright side. If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election. You may have got the vote, by claiming Tony Blair was a liar, but that will backfire if you fail.[/quote] So if the SNP do overturn Jack McConnells policy of closing local A+E departments then they will have done a good job? I will assume by that you will be voting for them next time round if they are successful in reversing the closures. Tony Blair is a PROVEN Liar, it is and was not idle election claims, he was even caught out during the campaign itself, stop being such an apologist.

Jason4queen wrote:
Look at the bright side. If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election. You may have got the vote, by claiming Tony Blair was a liar, but that will backfire if you fail.

So if the SNP do overturn Jack McConnells policy of closing local A+E departments then they will have done a good job? I will assume by that you will be voting for them next time round if they are successful in reversing the closures.

Tony Blair is a PROVEN Liar, it is and was not idle election claims, he was even caught out during the campaign itself, stop being such an apologist.

[quote][bold]John[/bold] wrote: Last week I was told by NHS 24 to take my son to hospital after he had injured his arm. I went to Wishaw Hospital -near where I live - and we waited for three and a half hours before everyone waiting, with minor injuries, were told it might be another five hours before we were seen as there was only one doctor on in casualty. Needless to say most people left, many of whom were children who had hurt themselves in various sporting activities. What is it going to be like for the people of Lanarkshire when Monklands closes?[/quote] It is the same in Glasgow at the Victoria and at haremyres where they are expecting to send people from Monklands. Under Labour even if it did cost lives it would have been justifiable because it balance the books, it would have not been their fault because the decision was made by the local health authority....etc ad nauseum.

John wrote:
Last week I was told by NHS 24 to take my son to hospital after he had injured his arm. I went to Wishaw Hospital -near where I live - and we waited for three and a half hours before everyone waiting, with minor injuries, were told it might be another five hours before we were seen as there was only one doctor on in casualty. Needless to say most people left, many of whom were children who had hurt themselves in various sporting activities. What is it going to be like for the people of Lanarkshire when Monklands closes?

It is the same in Glasgow at the Victoria and at haremyres where they are expecting to send people from Monklands. Under Labour even if it did cost lives it would have been justifiable because it balance the books, it would have not been their fault because the decision was made by the local health authority....etc ad nauseum.

Isn't 1.16am well past Jason's bed time. Maybe he works in one of those 24 hour call centres that replaced the mines in Ayrshire.

Jason4Queen, As I pointed out elsewhere, it is absurd for you to claim - as a Labour supporter - that the SNP will suffer for not being able to prevent the disastrous policies of a party you support. It is no less hypocritcal of Elaine Smith to now turn against the policies of the party she serves. What of Jackie Baillie MSP, will she also come out of the woods now and petition the SNP to keep the Vale of Leven Hospital open?

Jason4Queen,

As I pointed out elsewhere, it is absurd for you to claim - as a Labour supporter - that the SNP will suffer for not being able to prevent the disastrous policies of a party you support. It is no less hypocritcal of Elaine Smith to now turn against the policies of the party she serves. What of Jackie Baillie MSP, will she also come out of the woods now and petition the SNP to keep the Vale of Leven Hospital open?

As someone who works in the NHS. NHS reorganisation is the sensible response to shifts in patient care and the current avaialbility of doctors. Centralising services is the way to provide the best quality service for patients. I appreciate the negative local reaction to reorganisation but someone somewhere had to bite the bullet on this. Sticking rigidly to keeping an A&E or maternity services in every hospital or keeping every hospital open is unworkable. The SNP will quickly find that taking the moral high ground in opposition is slightly easier than managing the NHS in reality.

As someone who works in the NHS. NHS reorganisation is the sensible response to shifts in patient care and the current avaialbility of doctors. Centralising services is the way to provide the best quality service for patients.

I appreciate the negative local reaction to reorganisation but someone somewhere had to bite the bullet on this. Sticking rigidly to keeping an A&E or maternity services in every hospital or keeping every hospital open is unworkable.

The SNP will quickly find that taking the moral high ground in opposition is slightly easier than managing the NHS in reality.

On the contrary Frank, having services moved from West Lothian to prop up the Royal in Edinburgh ('centralisation') isn't the way to provide the best service but a) propped up the money pit PFI hosptiatal in Edinburgh 'Labour's Showpiece hospital' b) moved acute general surgery, orthopaedic surgery and labs from the fastest growing area in Scotland c) costs thousands of pounds per patient that bypasses the District General St john's to travel to the New royal in Edinburgh for treatment that the royal wasn't designed or budgeted to provide d) ensures that the 'Golden hour of Resuscitation' takes place in the back of an ambulance in critically ill patients whwereas before it was conducted by an arrest team and then on to surgery or ITU in St John's A & E-the number of deaths on route to the Royal in edinburgh, or as a direct result of the additional hour long journey from West Lothian has nOT been audited e) the Labour party policies that have pretended that Scotland's five million population is as compact and close knit as the population of Yorkshire has ensured that the wrong approach to service provision has been taken, all decided upon and blundered through by Labour party policy f) the jokers on here who appear to believe that they can reverse the disastrous Labour party policy which has severely affected patients by blaming the SNP are on to a non winner-just like the election. The public aren't stupid, they know who has caused havoc in the NHS, don't kid yourselves.

On the contrary Frank, having services moved from West Lothian to prop up the Royal in Edinburgh ('centralisation') isn't the way to provide the best service but

a) propped up the money pit PFI hosptiatal in Edinburgh 'Labour's Showpiece hospital'

b) moved acute general surgery, orthopaedic surgery and labs from the fastest growing area in Scotland

c) costs thousands of pounds per patient that bypasses the District General St john's to travel to the New royal in Edinburgh for treatment that the royal wasn't designed or budgeted to provide

d) ensures that the 'Golden hour of Resuscitation' takes place in the back of an ambulance in critically ill patients whwereas before it was conducted by an arrest team and then on to surgery or ITU in St John's A & E-the number of deaths on route to the Royal in edinburgh, or as a direct result of the additional hour long journey from West Lothian has nOT been audited

e) the Labour party policies that have pretended that Scotland's five million population is as compact and close knit as the population of Yorkshire has ensured that the wrong approach to service provision has been taken, all decided upon and blundered through by Labour party policy

f) the jokers on here who appear to believe that they can reverse the disastrous Labour party policy which has severely affected patients by blaming the SNP are on to a non winner-just like the election.

The public aren't stupid, they know who has caused havoc in the NHS, don't kid yourselves.

What purpose dissent when not in power? Labour MSPs, and former Labour MSPs, had countless opportunities to argue, persuade and finally vote against health policy that ultimately had a negative impact on their own local communities . It is hypocritical to say now that the SNP should now save local hospitals from being downgraded or closed when they allowed these very decisions to be made in the first place. The Labour party had their chance to improve local health provision, they failed to do so, no way should these same people be allowed back into power again.

What purpose dissent when not in power?

Labour MSPs, and former Labour MSPs, had countless opportunities to argue, persuade and finally vote against health policy that ultimately had a negative impact on their own local communities .

It is hypocritical to say now that the SNP should now save local hospitals from being downgraded or closed when they allowed these very decisions to be made in the first place.

The Labour party had their chance to improve local health provision, they failed to do so, no way should these same people be allowed back into power again.

[quote][bold]Jason4queen[/bold] wrote: Look at the bright side. If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election. You may have got the vote, by claiming Tony Blair was a liar, but that will backfire if you fail.[/quote] Yes that's true. One election promise regarding an A&E MUST be kept or the SNP are out next time! Labour has had 8 years and failed miserably on numerous counts but deserve another run at it. In a long list of drivel (and it is long, long list) you have spouted over the last few weeks this is by far the best. You really are a prize prat sir.

Jason4queen wrote:
Look at the bright side. If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election.
You may have got the vote, by claiming Tony Blair was a liar, but that will backfire if you fail.

Yes that's true.

One election promise regarding an A&E MUST be kept or the SNP are out next time!

Labour has had 8 years and failed miserably on numerous counts but deserve another run at it.
In a long list of drivel (and it is long, long list) you have spouted over the last few weeks this is by far the best.
You really are a prize prat sir.

by claiming Tony Blair was a liar

Claiming?

Look out of the window and tell me what colour the sky is on your world.

Jason4queen

Altogether now forum, Ha ha ha ha ha. Please no more jokes I am sore laughing. When is it you appear on the comedy circuit? Must book a ticket.

"Look at the bright side. If the SNP fail to save the A+E in Monklands and here in Ayr. They will pay the price at the next election."

Jason4 Mystic Meg
Jason4 SNP
Jason4 single issue (ok now 2 issues)
Jason4 pope

And the Labour backbench rebellion begins before a Presiding Officer has been elected.

Who says the SNP can't get a referendum bill through? Who needs the Lib Dems when you can count on a backbench rebellion. It will be interesting to see just how many Labour MSPs will vote for Alex to be First Minister.

[quote]The SNP will quickly find that taking the moral high ground in opposition is slightly easier than managing the NHS in reality. [/quote] Well said that man I also await with interest the SNP's health policy. In opposition they promised the earth and the moon, but now it's time to deliver, and things are a lot different when you are holding the reins of power. Labour weren't closing A and E departments and maternity services because they were some sort of pantomime villains. Centralisation of the NHS has to occur on some sort of level. It's all to do with shifting populations and directing finite resources appropriately, which has to happen. I have personal experience of this as my own hospital - Inverclyde Royal - was threatened until there was a U-turn on that policy. I was actively involved in the fight to keep the hospital open, but I opposed the closure not because all NHS reorganisation was wrong, but because Inverclyde was the wrong target. It served too many people and Monklands and Vale of Leven were far more fitting targets for reorganisation. Now I'm prepared to take my usual pelter posts for saying all this, but I ask you as SNP supporters: What will you do when your party's policy falls well short of what was promised? To say otherwise is simply living in denial.

The SNP will quickly find that taking the moral high ground in opposition is slightly easier than managing the NHS in reality.

Well said that man

I also await with interest the SNP's health policy. In opposition they promised the earth and the moon, but now it's time to deliver, and things are a lot different when you are holding the reins of power.

Labour weren't closing A and E departments and maternity services because they were some sort of pantomime villains. Centralisation of the NHS has to occur on some sort of level. It's all to do with shifting populations and directing finite resources appropriately, which has to happen.

I have personal experience of this as my own hospital - Inverclyde Royal - was threatened until there was a U-turn on that policy. I was actively involved in the fight to keep the hospital open, but I opposed the closure not because all NHS reorganisation was wrong, but because Inverclyde was the wrong target. It served too many people and Monklands and Vale of Leven were far more fitting targets for reorganisation.

Now I'm prepared to take my usual pelter posts for saying all this, but I ask you as SNP supporters: What will you do when your party's policy falls well short of what was promised?

To say otherwise is simply living in denial.

[quote][bold]hughie Greenock[/bold] wrote: [quote]The SNP will quickly find that taking the moral high ground in opposition is slightly easier than managing the NHS in reality. [/quote] Well said that man I also await with interest the SNP's health policy. In opposition they promised the earth and the moon, but now it's time to deliver, and things are a lot different when you are holding the reins of power. Labour weren't closing A and E departments and maternity services because they were some sort of pantomime villains. Centralisation of the NHS has to occur on some sort of level. It's all to do with shifting populations and directing finite resources appropriately, which has to happen. I have personal experience of this as my own hospital - Inverclyde Royal - was threatened until there was a U-turn on that policy. I was actively involved in the fight to keep the hospital open, but I opposed the closure not because all NHS reorganisation was wrong, but because Inverclyde was the wrong target. It served too many people and Monklands and Vale of Leven were far more fitting targets for reorganisation. Now I'm prepared to take my usual pelter posts for saying all this, but I ask you as SNP supporters: What will you do when your party's policy falls well short of what was promised? To say otherwise is simply living in denial. [/quote] You said, "Now I'm prepared to take my usual pelter posts for saying all this, but I ask you as SNP supporters: What will you do when your party's policy falls well short of what was promised? I'd probably vote them out.

hughie Greenock wrote:

The SNP will quickly find that taking the moral high ground in opposition is slightly easier than managing the NHS in reality.

Well said that man

I also await with interest the SNP's health policy. In opposition they promised the earth and the moon, but now it's time to deliver, and things are a lot different when you are holding the reins of power.

Labour weren't closing A and E departments and maternity services because they were some sort of pantomime villains. Centralisation of the NHS has to occur on some sort of level. It's all to do with shifting populations and directing finite resources appropriately, which has to happen.

I have personal experience of this as my own hospital - Inverclyde Royal - was threatened until there was a U-turn on that policy. I was actively involved in the fight to keep the hospital open, but I opposed the closure not because all NHS reorganisation was wrong, but because Inverclyde was the wrong target. It served too many people and Monklands and Vale of Leven were far more fitting targets for reorganisation.

Now I'm prepared to take my usual pelter posts for saying all this, but I ask you as SNP supporters: What will you do when your party's policy falls well short of what was promised?

To say otherwise is simply living in denial.

You said, "Now I'm prepared to take my usual pelter posts for saying all this, but I ask you as SNP supporters: What will you do when your party's policy falls well short of what was promised?

I'd probably vote them out.

but I ask you as SNP supporters: What will you do when your party's policy falls well short of what was promised?

Unlike Nu Lanour sheep....vote to remove them from office, it's called democracy , a funny little concept pioneered in the Greek states but has been quite popular over the several hundred years.

Rab wrote:
but I ask you as SNP supporters: What will you do when your party's policy falls well short of what was promised? Unlike Nu Lanour sheep....vote to remove them from office, it's called democracy , a funny little concept pioneered in the Greek states but has been quite popular over the several hundred years.

Here, Here!

Frank wrote:
As someone who works in the NHS. NHS reorganisation is the sensible response to shifts in patient care and the current avaialbility of doctors. Centralising services is the way to provide the best quality service for patients. I appreciate the negative local reaction to reorganisation but someone somewhere had to bite the bullet on this. Sticking rigidly to keeping an A&E or maternity services in every hospital or keeping every hospital open is unworkable. The SNP will quickly find that taking the moral high ground in opposition is slightly easier than managing the NHS in reality.

Sorry Frank, I work for the NHS and have done so in various hospitals down south. Some areas have A&E services centralised in one hospital and it leads to increased pressure in that one area.

It doesn't work, patient's suffer, people die in corridor's on trolleys and no one can do anything about it because the nursing and medical staff are so over-stretched and harrassed with the other crap that goes on that something gives.

this is a disaster waiting to happen, and let's hope it's not to one of your relatives!

Hughie Greenock - " Monklands and Vale of Leven were far more fitting targets for reorganisation" I take it you are referring to the fact that people in Argyll have to travel to Paisley to get the nearest A & E ward - driving past Vale of Leven Hospital to do so, - lovely prospect, especially if you are inconsiderate enough to have an accident during the rush hour or if you have the downright cheek to do so when the Erskine Bridge is closed. - We don't know how the SNP will perform Hughie, but it couldn't be worst than that shower of clowns called the Labour Party mate!!!

Hughie Greenock - " Monklands and Vale of Leven were far more fitting targets for reorganisation"
I take it you are referring to the fact that people in Argyll have to travel to Paisley to get the nearest A & E ward - driving past Vale of Leven Hospital to do so, - lovely prospect, especially if you are inconsiderate enough to have an accident during the rush hour or if you have the downright cheek to do so when the Erskine Bridge is closed.
- We don't know how the SNP will perform Hughie, but it couldn't be worst than that shower of clowns called the Labour Party mate!!!

ref;- a--e closures, the people of north lanarkshire and glasgow have only themselves to blame, you get what you vote for, labour are the ones, that decided to close these units and yet you were willing to vote them back into power, people get what they deserve, live with it my only thoughts are with the poor people in your area that didnt vote for labour and are forced to except the consiquensies of the situatiion that they find themselves in and turning to the S.N.P. to help there concerns nu/labour dont listen to the people that put them where they are, SNP is for scotland labour are for westminster.

jason4queen, you have the nerve to critisize the SNP if they fail to save you a-e services in ayr then you vote for the party that arranged its closure in the first place, hypocrit springs to mine.

Willie, be not too hard on our poor wee Jason - it is apparent the scales are falling from his eyes. Witness how he begs our newly elected list MSP (SNP) to save his local Hospital, while ignoring his first choice, the woman he voted for, the one, the only, Cathy Jamieson! As was pointed out in another post, people like Jason, who want the hospitals kept open yet vote for the party which wants to close them, are a conundrum. I think the term hypocrites is a bit harsh, idiots is more suitable.

Willie, be not too hard on our poor wee Jason - it is apparent the scales are falling from his eyes. Witness how he begs our newly elected list MSP (SNP) to save his local Hospital, while ignoring his first choice, the woman he voted for, the one, the only, Cathy Jamieson!
As was pointed out in another post, people like Jason, who want the hospitals kept open yet vote for the party which wants to close them, are a conundrum. I think the term hypocrites is a bit harsh, idiots is more suitable.

Jason4Queen @ 1:16 am

What do you mean by "here in Ayr"? You live in Patna - one of the pigsties Joke McDonnell didn't mention by name but knew fine well because wee Cathy buys her mince fae the butchers there.

Still it's good you haven't given up the ghost after Labour's first defeat in 50 years. You provoke almost as many responses as AM and Jock Tamson's big wean. Well done!

Argentocoxus, What part of Ayr do you live in. This is the same Ayr that was Tory dominated for years. It was never a SNP haven. Infact who got the largest seats in first past the post in Holyrood and Councils. SNP? No. But as you ask, my postcode is still Ayr. When I am asked for my town when writing my address, I have to write Ayr. And Ayr is the largest town in my area. And one of my new local councilors (Drew Filston) in Dalmellington is also fighting for Ayr hospital. Or should he cast off because he is a traitor to Dalmellington?. So if you are wasting your time claiming I do not live near enough Ayr to count. Then please take it up with the Royal Mail and Drew Filston. P.S. The original story on A+E hospitals was concerning Monklands. I am originally from Uddingston, Glasgow G71. Incase you claim Uddingston is not Glasgow. And Uddingston is served by Monklands. You do not need to live 50 yards from the hospitals to be the only legitimate person taking an interest. And like most members of any party, I do have objections to certain policies. But it does not mean I want my party out. Can you honestly say ( although with the remarks that you and your like make on here, I dont believe you can say anything honestly). But can you say that you agree with every word, every sentence, every idea, every policy that Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon come up with?. If the answer is yes. How did you feel when John Swinney was leader of the SNP, as his ideas where different to Alex's?. That is how I can want to keep the A+E services, but still agree with my party on other issues.

Argentocoxus, What part of Ayr do you live in. This is the same Ayr that was Tory dominated for years. It was never a SNP haven. Infact who got the largest seats in first past the post in Holyrood and Councils. SNP? No.
But as you ask, my postcode is still Ayr. When I am asked for my town when writing my address, I have to write Ayr. And Ayr is the largest town in my area. And one of my new local councilors (Drew Filston) in Dalmellington is also fighting for Ayr hospital. Or should he cast off because he is a traitor to Dalmellington?. So if you are wasting your time claiming I do not live near enough Ayr to count. Then please take it up with the Royal Mail and Drew Filston.
P.S.
The original story on A+E hospitals was concerning Monklands.
I am originally from Uddingston, Glasgow G71. Incase you claim Uddingston is not Glasgow.
And Uddingston is served by Monklands. You do not need to live 50 yards from the hospitals to be the only legitimate person taking an interest. And like most members of any party, I do have objections to certain policies. But it does not mean I want my party out.
Can you honestly say ( although with the remarks that you and your like make on here, I dont believe you can say anything honestly). But can you say that you agree with every word, every sentence, every idea, every policy that Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon come up with?. If the answer is yes. How did you feel when John Swinney was leader of the SNP, as his ideas where different to Alex's?.
That is how I can want to keep the A+E services, but still agree with my party on other issues.

I seem to have rattled someones cage! I seem to recall Labour making lots of promises over the years!Some of them thye actually kept - the creation of the NHS being one! Why are they so hell bent on detroying it now!? Labour supporters invariably miss the point! Dishing out PFI contracts as part of a general health service centralisation policy under Nu Labour and then individual MPs or MSPs campaigning against hospital closures or downgrading exercises is twa faced! It was not just the downgrading of Monklands that was wrong it was the whole policy in relation to providing health services! Such a policy would not have washed with the Labour Party of old - you know the Labour Party that actually believed in something! Nye Bevan must be turning in his grave at what has happenned to the Labour Party under Blair and Brown!

I seem to have rattled someones cage! I seem to recall Labour making lots of promises over the years!Some of them thye actually kept - the creation of the NHS being one! Why are they so hell bent on detroying it now!?

Labour supporters invariably miss the point! Dishing out PFI contracts as part of a general health service centralisation policy under Nu Labour and then individual MPs or MSPs campaigning against hospital closures or downgrading exercises is twa faced!

It was not just the downgrading of Monklands that was wrong it was the whole policy in relation to providing health services! Such a policy would not have washed with the Labour Party of old - you know the Labour Party that actually believed in something! Nye Bevan must be turning in his grave at what has happenned to the Labour Party under Blair and Brown!

[quote][bold]Frank[/bold] wrote: As someone who works in the NHS. NHS reorganisation is the sensible response to shifts in patient care and the current avaialbility of doctors. Centralising services is the way to provide the best quality service for patients. I appreciate the negative local reaction to reorganisation but someone somewhere had to bite the bullet on this. Sticking rigidly to keeping an A&E or maternity services in every hospital or keeping every hospital open is unworkable. The SNP will quickly find that taking the moral high ground in opposition is slightly easier than managing the NHS in reality. [/quote] Frank You are spot on. I am a senior emergency medicine specialist who worked in Glasgow until 2 years ago. I wholeheartedly supported the need to reduce the number of A&E departments in Glasgow because the treatments that patients require for first class care now often need big centralised 24/7 services. Medicine has moved way beyond your best hope being a short run to see the newly qualified doctor in the old victorian hospital down the road. Conditions such as heart attack, stroke, internal bleeding and major injuries now need specialists, teams, and technology for the best outcomes 24/7. This level of care cannot be given to people in most local hospitals and patients will increasingly be need to be sent on to understaffed teaching hospitals. Thus critical treament is delayed, and doctors and other health professionals will become increasingly frustrated. I moved to NZ to work in a big centralised hospital with most of the critical services on-site and streaming of patients to avoid log-jams, and although the two systems are not directly comparable, it works well here. I left Scotland with the intention of returning to Glasgow having gained some overseas experience. I would be thinking twice if the new parliament begins dismantling the necessary reform of A&E care in Glasgow. Andy Kerr took some difficult and long term decisions in Glasgow which the SNP should be grateful they do not need to revisit, as though unpopular, they will prove in time to be in the best interests of Glaswegians.

Frank wrote:
As someone who works in the NHS. NHS reorganisation is the sensible response to shifts in patient care and the current avaialbility of doctors. Centralising services is the way to provide the best quality service for patients. I appreciate the negative local reaction to reorganisation but someone somewhere had to bite the bullet on this. Sticking rigidly to keeping an A&E or maternity services in every hospital or keeping every hospital open is unworkable. The SNP will quickly find that taking the moral high ground in opposition is slightly easier than managing the NHS in reality.

Frank

You are spot on. I am a senior emergency medicine specialist who worked in Glasgow until 2 years ago. I wholeheartedly supported the need to reduce the number of A&E departments in Glasgow because the treatments that patients require for first class care now often need big centralised 24/7 services.
Medicine has moved way beyond your best hope being a short run to see the newly qualified doctor in the old victorian hospital down the road. Conditions such as heart attack, stroke, internal bleeding and major injuries now need specialists, teams, and technology for the best outcomes 24/7. This level of care cannot be given to people in most local hospitals and patients will increasingly be need to be sent on to understaffed teaching hospitals. Thus critical treament is delayed, and doctors and other health professionals will become increasingly frustrated.
I moved to NZ to work in a big centralised hospital with most of the critical services on-site and streaming of patients to avoid log-jams, and although the two systems are not directly comparable, it works well here. I left Scotland with the intention of returning to Glasgow having gained some overseas experience. I would be thinking twice if the new parliament begins dismantling the necessary reform of A&E care in Glasgow.
Andy Kerr took some difficult and long term decisions in Glasgow which the SNP should be grateful they do not need to revisit, as though unpopular, they will prove in time to be in the best interests of Glaswegians.

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