NHS Tayside is pressing ahead with its consultation on a controversial mental health shake-up, despite a last gasp bid to have it shelved.
From Monday, the public will get its say on proposals to centralise psychiatric inpatient services at Dundee.
The move would involve transferring hospital staff out of the Moredun ward at Murray Royal in Perth and Stracathro’s Mulberry Unit in Angus.
Health chiefs argue the move is crucial because a shortage of junior doctors could put staff and patients at risk.
But opponents argue the single unit will take away important emergency services from Angus and Perthshire.
On Friday morning, the Perthshire integrated joint board (IJB) — made up of health staff, councillors and representatives of public partners — agreed to go ahead with a three month consultation.
Councillor Colin Stewart objected to the scheme and suggested an adjournment to look at other options. However, he failed to find a backer among the rest of the voting members of the board.
The move for a single unit at Dundee’s Carseview Centre was one of four options originally considered.
The proposals were scored by a panel which included carers and service users.
However, it has emerged that there was no one from Perth and Kinross on the panel, leading to accusations that the results were skewed towards Dundee.
Local carer Bernie Campbell, who is a member of the board, said: “It has been stated that there was 31 carers involved in the scoring process, which is in line government guidelines.
“But I have been led to believe that of those 31, there was no representation from Perth and Kinross carers and service users.”
She added: “I accept there were two events held in Perth and Kinross, but no one at those meetings was involved in any option decisions.”
Robert Packham, chief officer for the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “People across Angus, Dundee and Perth and Kinross rightly expect us to deliver modern, high quality, safe and effective mental health and learning disability services, but the way the services are currently arranged is not sustainable.”
He said that only 6% of people who used mental services each year needed inpatient care. “94% of the population access services in the community.
“Through our redesign transformation programme, we have had opportunity to look at how and where we deliver care.”
He added: “We would like to hear as many views as possible from across Tayside and would encourage members of the public to take part in the consultation and give us feedback on the proposed option.”
A final decision is likely to be taken toward the end of the year.
