THE CHIEF executive of NHS Tayside last night hit back at claims that the emergency surgery unit at Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) will close, stating that such suggestions may cause “undue distress” to patients.
In a strongly-worded response, Gerry Marr said that a proposal by doctors and consultants at PRI to free additional theatre time would actually lead to an increase in operations and would result in enhancing the “first class services” provided at the Perth hospital.
Mr Marr said that he has written to Liz Smith, Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, to clarify the position and that he has also invited local politicians to a meeting being held at PRI next Friday, where clinicians will be in attendance.
Ms Smith has put pressure on NHS Tayside after The Courier revealed the health body was proposing cuts to the emergency surgery unit at PRI. Mr Marr has admitted that consultants at Perth are planning to test out a proposal in which additional theatre time can be freed up from Thursday morning each week.
However, he denied this would lead to the closure of emergency surgery provision at PRI.
“I must make it absolutely clear that the proposals put forward by clinicians in no way suggest the removal of the emergency surgical unit, and we have never stated that this was the case,” he said last night.
“This statement is not only wrong, but may cause undue distress to the patients who are admitted to PRI.”
He continued: “Currently at PRI there are, on average, five admissions per day to the surgical receiving unit, with only one of these admissions requiring surgery.
“Our consultants and doctors have looked at the numbers of cases and the range of those procedures carried out at PRI and, following this review, they are planning to test out a proposal in which additional theatre time can be freed up from Thursday morning each week.
“This will mean that instead of that single emergency operation on a Thursday and Friday, our skilled staff can carry out elective surgeries for up to eight people at PRI over the time period.”
Mr Marr said the “anticipated” result of this “strengthening” of scheduled surgery in PRI will be to increase the number of operations carried out there.
“To suggest that this proposal is, in fact, a removal of the emergency surgery unit is simply not true,” he added.
“On the contrary, we very much believe that over time we can enhance the first class services already being provided at PRI.
“The bottom line for us will always be the safety and quality of patient care that we provide.”
NHS Tayside chairman Sandy Watson added: “Liz Smith says that PRI is a first class local hospital.
“I agree with her on that, but I am concerned she appears to have pre-judged the outcome of the test of change.
“I hope that our meeting with elected members will provide everyone with the opportunity to have a constructive dialogue.”
However, Ms Smith said she remains adamant there is a “serious issue” about the removal of certain services from PRI.
“The fact remains that NHS Tayside has already cut several services from PRI, including the maternity ward, paediatrics, pathology, and weekend surgery,” she said.
“The removal of emergency surgery is a further cut.
“Both myself and Councillor Alexander Stewart met with Mr Marr in October to discuss a number of issues relating to PRI and at no point was NHS Tayside’s plans to cut emergency surgery raised,” she continued.
“I make no apologies for making the case to NHS Tayside that local people want to see PRI as their primary hospital, not Ninewells.
“I hope that the message from all elected politicians in Perthshire at the meeting next Friday will be a united one that NHS Tayside needs to think again.”
preoch@thecourier.co.uk