Stevenson Welcomes Delay In Broch Matty Decision For Further Review

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson attended today’s meeting of the NHS Grampian Board where Board members were to discuss maternity service provision in the North-east.

Mr Stevenson had previously written to all Board members urging them to back local maternity services at their meeting.

Speaking from Aberdeen where the NHS Grampian meeting was held, Mr Stevenson commented:

“The Health Board members had in front of them the Board’s own recommendation to move maternity services away from Fraserburgh so, in that context, I very much welcome the decision today to postpone until June the decision on the future of maternity services.

“In the meantime, the consultation process will be referred to the Scottish Health Council for review which, given local unease over the manner in which the Health Board have conducted this, is a sensible move and one which I am sure people in Fraserburgh will welcome.

“An interesting point which came out of the meeting was that NHS Grampian’s expenditure exceeds that of Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray Councils put together. Yet this is a body which has no democratically accountable link between the Board members and the communities which they serve. Who, for example, is the voice of the people of Fraserburgh on the Health Board?

“I will be writing to Health Minister Andy Kerr urging that the decision-making process should support local communities.”