Chamber and committees

I have today written to the Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to confirm my decision in relation to the Lightburn Hospital service change proposals.

I have carefully considered all the available information and representations and am not convinced by the board’s case for change. As such, I am rejecting NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s proposal to transfer the inpatient and outpatient/day case services from Lightburn Hospital, and the request to close the facility; and have asked that the board now works to maintain and improve the quality of the service delivered from the hospital, in the best interests of local people.

In considering these proposals my paramount concern has been whether the benefits to patients of co-locating the inpatient, outpatient and day hospital services for older people in North East Glasgow on two larger hospital sites outweighs the obvious drawbacks around geographical access for a vulnerable patient group from one of the most disadvantaged communities in Scotland. I have repeatedly heard – not least from local patients and clinicians - that Lightburn Hospital provides high quality services that are greatly valued by the community. I am extremely conscious of the socio-economic and demographic profile of the area; and that the proposals combined with difficult public transport links could not only disadvantage the community, but also potentially act as a disincentive to some local people with significant health concerns and poor health outlooks accessing necessary care and treatment. I have heard from local patients who are clear that they do not wish to be admitted to an acute inpatient facility hospital but are prepared to attend the day hospital at Lightburn where they can receive the multi-disciplinary input needed to get them back on their feet again. This position is consistent with the national policy direction to treat people as locally as possible; encouraging as much care in the community as is practicable, whilst preventing inappropriate admissions to hospitals. This particularly applies to the outpatient and day hospital services.

I am also conscious of the argument in this case, reinforced by some local clinicians, that the effective rehabilitation of this patient group is best served by continuing to base the service in the local community; preserving easy geographical access to visitors, many of whom are from the same age group and would find the journey to Stobhill in particular most challenging. The benefits of the proposals for patients would therefore have to be clear and compelling to over-ride my real concerns about limiting geographical access to healthcare services in this community.

Hospital services are not static and need to change, and in that context this has been a difficult decision. However, in this particular case I am not convinced by the board’s proposal for change, and am persuaded by the argument for maintaining local access to what is clearly regarded as valuable and high quality local facility.

The government has a policy of maintaining local access to healthcare services where it is appropriate to do so, and where it is in patient’s best interests. It is my view, having carefully considered all the evidence and representations – not least around the adequacy and availability of the public transport options - that local people’s interests are best served by maintaining Lightburn Hospital and its healthcare services.

I have therefore asked that the board now works to maintain and improve the quality of the service delivered from the hospital, in the best interests of local people.

Business Gateway provides support for encouraging entrepreneurship and start-up advice and assistance for existing businesses. The delivery of Business Gateway is the responsibility of local authorities and is the key delivery channel offering a first point of contact or all publicly funded advice to businesses in Scotland. It provides advice and support on a number of aspects associated with forming and developing a business such as marketing, business advice and financial management. Full details of the services can be accessed on the Business Gateway website www.bgateway.com including details, through a minicom number 0800 023 2071, for deaf or hard of hearing individuals and entrepreneurs.

The Scottish Government understands the importance of British Sign Language (BSL) to the deaf community in Scotland, and formally recognised BSL as a language on 5 March 2011.

The Scottish Government is represented on the British Sign Language and Linguistic Access Working Group and works in partnership with a number of organisations in the deaf sector.

The Scottish Government previously provided significant funding to the Building Bridges Project, a programme to deliver a long-term strategy to improve linguistic access for Deaf people and increase access to services through registered interpreters, and has provided funding for three BSL projects in 2010-11.

The Scottish Government also funded the piloting of seven sensory impairment "one-stop shop" services. These shops offer early diagnosis, support and advice, which include support and advice on British Sign Language. Given the success of these shops, the Government is committed to a programme of roll out of this model in 2011.

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) currently has a suite of standalone National Qualifications Units in learning British Sign Language at Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework level 3 (Access 3), 4 (Intermediate 4), 5 (Intermediate 2) and 6 (Higher). These will continue to be available under Curriculum for Excellence.

The SQA is also developing a Professional Development Award BSL Studies as part of the initiative to improve linguistic access through support from the Scottish Government’s Equality Unit. This work is being undertaken to address the shortage of BSL/English interpreters, and will result in a qualification that will develop high level BSL skills and provide a professional pathway for BSL tutors to deliver training at levels 3 and 4.

In the first place the public sector equality duty in the Equality Act 2010, which came into force on 5 April, requires public authorities to have “due regard” to the need to eliminate discrimination, victimisation and harassment which are unlawful under the act; to advance equality of opportunity, and to foster good relations. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has produced guidance to help public authorities respond to the duty.

The Scottish Government works with a number of organisations to raise awareness of issues that affect the deaf community, to ensure the views of deaf people are heard, and to reduce barriers to inclusion for deaf people to bring about an improvement in service planning and delivery.

We intend to consult on revised draft regulations shortly and to make the regulations around the beginning of next year.

Subject to Parliamentary approval we expect that the regulations which will impose the specific duties will come into force in April 2012.

Glasgow City Council has produced an air quality action plan which contains a comprehensive list of measures for improving air quality in the city.

The council is working closely with the Scottish Government to implement the plan.

The council is also taking a range of actions to ensure that poor air quality will not impact on the 2014 Commonwealth Games, including the introduction of Low Emission Zones that will protect all games venues and athletes.

Full implementation of directive 2008/50EC for the whole of Glasgow will follow at a later date.

Securing compliance with EU directives is the responsibility of the UK Government and devolved administrations. There are no legal obligations on other bodies and agencies. However, the Scottish Government is working closely with local authorities, SEPA and others to ensure compliance with directive 2008/50/EC as soon as possible.