NHS Tayside’s chief executive will discuss concerns about management decisions at Perth Royal Infirmary with MSPs today, the First Minister has revealed.
Alex Salmond confirmed the topic would form part of a regular bi-monthly meeting between local politicians and health board bosses in response to Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Liz Smith.
During First Minister’s Questions, Ms Smith asked Mr Salmond about NHS whistle-blowing measures after The Courier revealed last week a group of nurses had written to NHS Tayside chief executive Gerry Marr expressing their worries about practices at PRI.
Mr Salmond replied: “The chief executive will meet elected members to discuss exactly those concerns. He will outline the staffing levels that are in place, which are reviewed regularly in partnership with staff, ensuring that safety is given paramount importance at that hospital.
“The initiatives that are being taken, including the helpline, are designed precisely to underpin the confidence and freedom of NHS staff to speak, ensuring that we have a culture of improvement in our health service.”
Mr Salmond also pointed to a new whistle-blowing hotline, set up to help NHS workers who have concerns.
As well as Ms Smith, fellow Conservative Murdo Fraser, the SNP’s Shona Robison, Joe FitzPatrick and Graeme Dey and Labour Party members Jenny Marra and Richard Simpson will be at today’s meeting.
The Courier revealed last week that significant staffing changes will be brought into place at PRI following a high-level meeting between senior nursing management and ward staff.
A series of issues were raised by those involved in direct patient care, with some claiming understaffing has compromised the service they provide.
Ms Smith said: “Scottish Conservatives have long advocated the establishment of the national confidential NHS helpline and I am pleased this will be in operation from April 2.
“Perth Royal Infirmary is one of the most treasured institutions in the whole of Perth and Kinross, and rightly so. The dedicated professionalism of the doctors and nurses is first class, yet it is clear that far too many staff have concerns about current practices and the impact on patient care.
“It disturbs all of us that nursing staff have made public their concerns following those expressed in January by senior surgeons and clinicians. It is vital that we build a culture of openness within our NHS where our first class frontline medics can speak out about concerns and suggest improvements.
“I will be pressing SNP Ministers to make sure all NHS staff are made aware of the helpline and seek to make sure that concerns are being fully investigated and addressed by NHS management in the future.”