For immediate release:

MSP RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT HOSPICE PROVISION CHANGE

Rutherglen and Cambuslang constituency MSP, Clare Haughey, has recently raised her concerns about changes to Hospice provision for Rutherglen and Cambuslang patients requiring palliative care.

Until recently, Rutherglen and Cambuslang patients would have been provided such care at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice in the centre of Glasgow. Over the next few months the provision of this care will be transferred to a new specialist palliative unit at the Kilbryde hospice in East Kilbride.

Responding to concerns raised by Ms Haughey about the communication of the change, South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership have said that the decision was the result of a palliative care review, as well as proposals to relocate the Prince and Princess of Wales inpatient unit to Bellahouston, at the other side of Glasgow.

Commenting on the response Ms Haughey said:

“Whilst there may be considered reasons for the change in hospice provision currently being implemented, I am disappointed at the lack of communication around the change, particularly when local health professionals and patients appear not to have been adequately consulted.”

“On such an important issue South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnership had a responsibility to fully consult with all local stakeholders before implementing this change and I am very disappointed that, in this instance, this appears not to have been the case.”

ENDS

Date published: 25th May 2018