Fighting for the Vale

Published 1 Dec 2009 09:00

I was disappointed that the SNP chose to welcome my appointment as shadow Health secretary with comments that I was not committed to the Vale of Leven Hospital.

The Vale of Leven Hospital is my local hospital - it is my family's hospital and I would like to explicitly state that there is no-one that was more active in defending services at the hospital.

In my new role as shadow Health secretary I am taking the fight for the Vale to the health board and to the Scottish Government.

I have a responsibility to my constituents and I do not take this responsibility lightly.

I find it extraordinary that the SNP has proclaimed itself the 'saviour' of the Vale when left, right and centre it is removing vital services.

The 'saviour' of the Vale has closed wards, removed beds and transferred many services to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

It has pulled the rug out from under the midwives at the Community Maternity Unit by switching from a 24/7 service to an on call one, despite the express wishes of patients and staff.

It has even closed down the kitchens at the Vale, opting to make food for patients at hospitals miles away.

I seem to recall that in the 2007 Scottish Parliamentary elections, my opponent Graeme McCormick pledged that if his party, the SNP, made any cuts to services then he would resign his candidacy.

Can I assume then that Mr McCormack is therefore not standing again?

Token gesture for Dumbarton, nothing for Alexandria

I would like to congratulate the small business owners and residents in ensuring that Dumbarton received some investment from the final tranche of allocations from the Town Centre Regeneration Fund.

Unfortunately this feels like a token gesture from the SNP Government.

When the bulk of money was being allocated back in August, West Dunbartonshire did not get a look in.

Now after intense pressure from residents and local businesses alike, the SNP has decided to make a gesture towards Dumbarton but has set nothing aside for Alexandria.

The town centres in this area are in desperate need of investment and I am afraid to say that the £450,000 will not be enough to meet the needs of Dumbarton town centre It is also disappointing that the traders in Alexandria will not see any additional money to improve their town centre.

C-diff Justice Group honoured

I am absolutely delighted that the C-diff Justice Group has won the award for Public Campaign of the Year at the Herald Politician of the Year awards.

After such a heartbreaking loss these family members have joined together and fought hard to get a public inquiry into the outbreak at the Vale.

This award recognises their hard work and determination.

Unfortunately as events of the past week have shown the Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government have not learnt any lessons from the tragic events at the Vale hospital.

Last week, Ninewells Hospital in Dundee joined a list of hospitals that have had deadly outbreaks of C-diff, this week we have an independent report on the appalling state of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

The Health secretary must start doing more and ensure that the lessons are properly learnt by the entire NHS in Scotland.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 01 Dec 09

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