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A Scottish Review investigation
As you are aware, the board has decided to allow a private developer to rent (for profit) beds for the end-of-life care of elderly patients while withdrawing funding from a hospice which already provides this service to the community. I am addressing the following seven questions to each member of the board. 1. When the board approved the re-development of Blawarthill hospital in late 2000 or early 2001, there was no suggestion in the board paper on which the board based its decision that the provision of continuing care beds on the site would impact on the continuing care already being provided by St Margaret of Scotland Hospice. Do you believe that the board should have been aware of this at the time of its decision or, if not then, at a much earlier stage than it did become aware? 2. In view of the board's declared belief that there is 'a reducing clinical need for NHS continuing care', are you sympathetic to the logic of providing more continuing care beds at Blawarthill when this service is already being provided by St Margaret of Scotland Hospice? 3. Are you satisfied with the length of the contract between your board and the developer? Do you believe that the land should be disposed of with no agreement for the use of the facility beyond the first five years? 4. What is your understanding of what will happen after five years? 5. Were you aware that when the board approved the re-development of Blawarthill in late 2000 or early 2001, the plan approved did not include a private housing development on the site? Can you say why such a development became part of the plan and whether you approve of it? 6. How many, if any, clinicians will be employed at the continuing care facility at Blawarthill? 7. Why do you believe that, in all the circumstances, the decision to withdraw funding from St Margaret of Scotland Hospice was the correct one? If you wish to answer any or all of these questions for publication in the Scottish Review, you are invited to do so by emailing islay@scottishreview.net Yours sincerely Kenneth Roy First published in SR on 27 January 2010 |
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