Health chiefs have insisted a decision to end unscheduled surgery at Perth Royal Infirmary is not “another nail in the coffin” for the hospital.
NHS Tayside said the agreement by its board to move all unplanned general operations to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee would allow more scheduled procedures to go ahead at Perth.
Professor Peter Stonebridge, interim medical director for the operational unit and a consultant vascular surgeon, said the intention was to create a centre of excellence for elective surgery at PRI and enable Perth and Kinross patients to be treated closer to home.
He was responding to an allegation from Alexander Stewart, Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP, that health chiefs should “hang their heads in shame” following Tuesday’s decision.
Under the new arrangements, NHS Tayside will continue to offer surgical services at three sites – PRI, Ninewells and Stracathro Hospital – but patients who need unscheduled surgery will have to travel to Dundee.
The decision followed a three-month public consultation with residents, staff, patients and carers.
Mr Stewart said it would mean a reduced service for PRI.
“I have campaigned for decades to maintain, retain and sustain facilities at the fair city hospital but once again this is another nail in the hospital’s coffin,” he said.
“The removal of unscheduled operations from PRl to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee is a major blow for the hospital and the local community.
“The unelected health chiefs at NHS Tayside should hang their heads in shame.”
However, Prof Stonebridge insisted the board was “absolutely committed” to continuing to provide a wide range of services at Perth.
“The hospital is a vital site for NHS Tayside and the plans for the future of surgical services mean that our doctors will actually carry out more surgery at PRI, which will develop into a centre of excellence for elective surgery,” he said.
“Our public consultation shows that 76% of people who responded supported the new arrangements and 88% of people understood the case for change.”
NHS Tayside chairman Professor John Connell said local MSPs had been fully briefed throughout the process but he would be happy to discuss any remaining concerns with Mr Stewart.
“The transformation of surgical services will provide a secure future for PRI and will improve the delivery of care for all patients across Tayside,” he added.
