§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has completed his consideration of Tayside health board's acute services strategy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StewartLike other health boards in Scotland, Tayside has had to review its long-term requirements and pattern of future service provision in the light of new developments in clinical techniques and technology and of improvements in efficiency.
An estimated £30 million will be needed to achieve the changes proposed by the board for the extension of Ninewells, new community hospitals in Forfar on the Whitehills site to replace the outdated facilities at Forfar infirmary, and Montrose to replace Montrose infirmary.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has considered the proposed changes for services in Tayside and has approved the health board's proposals in total.
In Dundee, trauma services are currently split between the Ninewells and Dundee Royal infirmary sites and people are transferred between the sites. By extending Ninewells hospital it will be possible to accommodate all services on one site and replace the functionally unsuitable accommodation at Dundee Royal infirmary. The transfer of services to Ninewells and the subsequent closure of Dundee Royal infirmary is supported by all medical staff, and is an opportunity to allow all trauma services to be provided on one site, alongside the support specialty and diagnostic services that are required by trauma patients, therefore avoiding the need for individuals to be transferred between the two hospitals, to receive appropriate care. The Dundee General Hospital Trust is currently examining the level of capital investment which will be required to effect this change. My right hon. Friend expects to be able to approve the required capital investment in the near future.
In Perth and Kinross, Tayside health board has sought approval to close Meigle cottage hospital. In this case my right hon. Friend has listened carefully to the arguments put forward by Tayside health board and others who have commented. The board has argued that by concentrating resources in this area at Blairgowrie, which has a larger site and wider range of facilities, it will be able to offer an enhanced level of patient care than it can at present. Local concerns focus on accessibility and loss of a valued local service.
It will, however, be possible to maintain local services and improve their integration by transferring services from Meigle cottage hospital to the Blairgowrie site. Moreover 262W the transfer of services from Meigle to Blairgowrie will allow the health board to apply resources more effectively to enhance patient care.
The boards proposals for Angus focus on the establishment of new community hospitals in Forfar and Montrose. In Forfar the proposed hospital is on the Whitehills site and would allow the centralisation of services in Forfar on one site. Services currently at Forfar infirmary and the Fyfe Jamieson maternity home would transfer to Whitehills and these hospitals would close. In Montrose the new hospital would replace services currently at Montrose infirmary.
My right hon. Friend supports these proposals and has therefore asked the health board and Angus Trust to prepare proposals for a community hospital at Whitehills to replace the outdated facilities at Forfar infirmary; together with proposals for a new Montrose infirmary. In the meantime Tayside health board has sought approval to transfer maternity services from Fyfe Jamieson maternity home to Whitehills with immediate effect; and to close Fyfe Jamieson. The service available to women will be the same as that available currently at Fyfe Jamieson. It will however operate from fewer beds because current occupancy rates are lower and will be staffed mainly by community rather than hospital midwives; 24-hour midwife care will continue to be available when required.
My right hon. Friend will announce his final decisions on the proposed new hospitals at Forfar and Montrose, and on the capital investment to be made at Ninewells, once detailed costings are available. Taken together these developments represent a major investment in health care in Tayside and an opportunity to ensure that the future pattern of care is appropriate to new developments in clinical techniques and technology.