Stobhill Hospital public meeting attended by over 300

3.27.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 24th May 2005

Jo Swinson has campaigned for years to protect Stobhill services

Local MP Jo Swinson has welcomed the strong turnout at last night's public meeting regarding the future of Stobhill Hospital. But she said that Health Minister Andy Kerr was still not getting the message.

Over 300 people were packed into St Mary's Hall in Kirkintilloch for the meeting, which included presentations from Greater Glasgow Health Board about the plans for the Stobhill site. Jo Swinson attended the meeting with Cllr Margaret McNaughton, and other local Cllrs and MSP Dr Jean Turner were also present.

Speaking after the meeting, Jo said, "I think it was good that the Minister came along this evening. It's more than his predecessors have done. However I think the public are being presented with a fait accompli, rather than the Health Board and Minister listening to concerns to they can amend the plans.

In a question to the Health Minister posed at the meeting, Jo highlighted the issue of inpatient beds, "People are concerned about the lack of inpatient beds in the new facility, for two main reasons: firstly, because Stobhill is currently being used for overflow from the Royal, and secondly because elsewhere where there are ACAD facilities, they are attached to hospitals with inpatient beds."

She continued with a direct question to the Minister, "Will the Minister and the Health Board listen to the concerns raised tonight and amend the plans accordingly to take them into consideration?"

Related Link:

The Herald report on the public meeting