During a meeting with Murdo Fraser in the Scottish Parliament to discuss the future of emergency surgery at NHS Tayside, Jeane Freeman, the SNP Health Secretary, accepted her part in creating confusion over the future of A&E at Perth Royal Infirmary in a statement released in July.
In the meeting, the Cabinet Secretary admitted that a fully functioning A&E department with necessary back-up services could still be offered at PRI, if this was included within the clinical strategy that NHS Tayside medical experts are currently working on.
It was also confirmed that the public will get to have their say on the finalised proposals with a consultation set to go live before next summer.
Murdo made it clear that the views of the public must be properly heard during this process.
Commentin,g Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“I was pleased to hear the Cabinet Secretary accept the Scottish Government’s part in creating confusion over the relocation of all unscheduled care to Ninewells as a result of their statement in July. I was also pleased to hear assurances over the future of A&E at PRI and look forward to examining, in detail, the specifics of this plan when it is made public.
“Liz Smith and I have had staff members at PRI contact us with their concerns about the future of emergency surgery at PRI. This situation has not been helped by the mixed messages that both staff and public have been hearing.
“In confirming that the finalised plans will be subject to a further public consultation the Scottish Government have accepted that the public’s voice must be heard. I believe that a patient focussed approach is the only way of delivering successful healthcare locally.
“The provision of emergency medicine in Tayside is incredibly important and over the coming months I will focus on ensuring that patients in rural parts of Perth and Kinross continue to be served by a safe, efficient, and local A&E service.”