Jim Hume, Liberal Democrat MSP for the South of Scotland, last night (20th January) used Scottish Parliamentary debate time to argue the case for the retention of five community hospitals across Dumfries and Galloway.

In a debate secured by the MSP, Mr Hume questioned the health board’s proposed transfer of elderly care from hospitals to the home and its funding plans, and repeated his call for the Cabinet Secretary to visit with local action groups.Jim Hume MSP: South of Scotland

The MSP’s arguments for the hospitals’ retention were augmented by cross party support across the chamber floor.

Jim Hume said:

"I wish to place on record that I welcome the health board's intention to invest in health services across the region, but instead of building new facilities at the expense of existing hospitals I would urge the health board to radically rethink its plans and to think hard about reinvesting into the these community hospitals, rather than taking a blanket closure approach. With some creative thinking, these hospitals can become multi functioning centres of excellence in each community with integrated services to serve the whole population, a view endorsed by the Kerr Report back in 2005.

"The health board also talks about a dwindling workforce. But having high quality, multiple-provision hospitals on your doorstep is exactly one reason to stay and work in your community as a health professional. Yes, people will retire, but let’s give people entering into the NHS a chance to work in their own communities. Let's not remove job opportunities from our rural and remote communities.

The MSP continued:

"Given the size of the service changes planned by NHS Dumfries and Galloway and given that Scottish Ministers will have the final say, I believe that Ministers should come to all the areas affected to meet with key local people. I understand that they will be meeting with Kirkcudbright Community Hospital Action Group in March and I've repeated my earlier call that they make similar arrangements with Langholm, Lochmaben, Thornhill and Moffat.

"Ministers saved Ayr and Monklands A&E departments on the grounds of geography. The expansive geography of Dumfries and Galloway together with a £230,000 cut in Swestrans funding does not bode well for travel to and from these hospitals, and Ministers need to be fully aware of the impact of these proposed closures.

"Removing these five community hospitals will be backward step in the delivery of integrated healthcare in Dumfries and Galloway."