‘More action necessary for Rannoch residents’ - MSP John Swinney
On 12 July North Tayside MSP John Swinney welcomed the announcement from Health Minister Andy Kerr MSP that independent assessment panels deciding on out-of-hours health services should take into account community views.
Assessment panels are used when agreement cannot be reached between a GP and a health board about a GP’s wish to transfer the provision of out-of-hours services. In future there will be an expectation that Boards carry out engagement with the public on their proposals.
Recently an assessment panel decided on the transfer of out of hours services in the Rannoch area, however no views of the public were channelled into this decision.
Mr Swinney said of this announcement: "I welcome the fact that local communities are to be consulted when assessment panels are to be taking decisions on out of hours services in local areas.
"This has resulted from the pressure I brought on the Minister in Parliament on this issue.
"However, with the situation in the Rannoch and Tummel area this did not happen.
"I am therefore seeking a meeting with the Health Minister to ask him to intervene in ensuring that the decision of assessment panel for Rannoch and Tummel is overturned to reflect the views of the local community.