Jo keeps pressure on Health Board over Stobhill beds

6.07.07pm GMT Tue 29th Nov 2005

Jo is pushing for short-stay beds at Stobhill Hospital

Jo Swinson MP is keeping up pressure on Greater Glasgow Health Board to provide short-stay beds at Stobhill Hospital.

Health Board Medical Director Dr Brian Cowan has been writing a report on the possibility of providing short-stay beds at the Stobhill and Victorial hospitals. In a meeting on Friday, Jo stressed the need to include short-stay beds in the Health Board plans for Stobhill.

Commenting on the meeting, Jo said:

"I used this meeting to repeat calls for short-stay beds to be provided at Stobhill, and am hopeful they will be delivered. There are also wider issues to look at arising from the acute services review, such as ambulance provision and the opportunity to provide rehabilitation beds at Stobhill.

"I will be meeting with the General Manager of West Central Scotland's Ambulance Service and the Health Board's Director of Rehabilitation and Assessment in early January, to ensure these issues are raised."

Jo also held talks with Greater Glasgow Health Board's Community Engagement Team, who are responsible for communicating with the public over planned changes to Glasgow's health services.

Jo put pressure on the Community Engagement Team to consult with local people in the near future.

"It is surprising, given the local strength of feeling over Stobhill, that the Community Engagement Team have not taken more time to meet people in Bishopbriggs. It is vital that people are kept informed of the Health Board's plans, and that their views are heard. I highlighted the importance of this, and have encouraged the Community Engagement Team to come to Bishopbriggs to speak to local people."