Councillor slams health and social care partnership
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Councillor Ross Cassie has claimed Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership are “avoiding scrutiny and accountability.”
This came after members of the Banff and Buchan area committee discussed the closure of the MIU overnight at Chalmers Hospital in Banff.
Last month, Mr Cassie lodged an emergency motion which requested a report to be brought from the officials of the integration joint board with the reasons that led to the decision to close MIU overnight.
An officer was not able to attend the meeting due to other commitments.
Cllr Cassie has called for answers over the level of risk assessment carried out regarding the closure.
He said: “I’m disappointed at their response.
“Since raising these concerns at the start of November and throughout the process leading to the August decision, I have found the process to be frustrating to the point of being obstructive.
“Should any member of the public looking into this process as it is in the public domain I am sure they could reasonably draw the conclusion the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership and taking steps to avoid scrutiny and accountability.”
Councillor Glen Reynolds raised concerns about the partnership not reassuring the public.
He added: “This is a public concern and they’ve not had any reassurance.
“What was discussed at a meeting following last month’s committee meeting has not been adhered to.”
Councillor Mark Findlater shared the members’ disappointment, while councillor John Cox insisted there was a need to “work together”.
At the time of the decision, which was made back in September, former GP and chairwoman of the Friends of Chalmers Hospital Janet Anderson told the Advertiser: “I am very disappointed with the decision of the council’s integration joint board (IJB) to close Chalmers Hospital MIU overnight.
“Banff needs a 24/7 service and it is particularly important given how far away Banff is from Aberdeen and Elgin with their poor and no transport links links overnight and the closure of Turriff MIU at 6pm.”
MP David Duguid said: “I am very disappointed to hear that the IJB has decided to limit the opening hours of the MIU at Chalmers Hospital.
“I’m sure that disappointment and frustration will be shared.”
A spokeswoman for the Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership said: “When the IJB agreed the changes to the opening hours of the Chalmers MIU, we also asked for an update paper to come to the board, six months following the implementation.
“This will give us the opportunity to monitor the impact of the changes.”
