§ 42. Mr. McTaggartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list those departments within Glasgow royal infirmary which are refusing out-patient referrals due to shortages of medical staff; what effect this is having on patient care; what steps are being taken to remedy the situation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythIt has proved necessary to curtail the number of out-patients seen in the ophthalmology department of Glasgow royal infirmary because of a shortage of medical staff. Alternative arrangements have been made for patients to be seen either at Stobhill hospital or the Glasgow eye infirmary. The Greater Glasgow health board has recently appointed two junior doctors to the department, and is taking steps to increase the number of consultant sessions there. Temporary difficulties in the out-patient urology department have been resolved by the appointment of a senior registrar.