SNP Councillors Oppose Cuts to North-East Minor Injuries Units
>> 20 March 2024
SNP members of Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership Integration Joint Board (IJB) today (Wednesday) voted against proposals to close the area’s Minor Injuries Units overnight as part of a series of budget proposals.
IJB members were asked to approve cuts to services totalling more than £8,400,000. These proposals were part of an overall package of measures worth around £20,000,000 to balance the Board’s books for the financial year 2024/25.
Commenting after the meeting, Integration Joint Board member Cllr Seamus Logan (SNP-Fraserburgh and District) said:
“The Board’s decision today to close overnight three Minor Injuries Units at Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Huntly is extremely disappointing and is a blow to these communities.
“These these services are being used appropriately by significant numbers of people every week. I also pointed out during the meeting that this move will load further pressure on services at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Emergency Department not to mention the Scottish Ambulance Service.
“Our service users were given insufficient time to digest these proposals and to assert their rights under legislation to have their voice heard today as these cuts were only made public last week.
“A number of other proposals gave me cause for concern, in particular the possibility of a further review of our vital local hospital provision. We need to be thinking more strategically, investing in these services, extending their reach so we prevent admissions through early intervention by delivering more care in people’s homes. In other words, we need more transformative change so that our NHS is developed securely as it moves towards its centenary rather than short term measures focused on the annual race to save money.”
“These these services are being used appropriately by significant numbers of people every week. I also pointed out during the meeting that this move will load further pressure on services at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Emergency Department not to mention the Scottish Ambulance Service.
“Our service users were given insufficient time to digest these proposals and to assert their rights under legislation to have their voice heard today as these cuts were only made public last week.
“A number of other proposals gave me cause for concern, in particular the possibility of a further review of our vital local hospital provision. We need to be thinking more strategically, investing in these services, extending their reach so we prevent admissions through early intervention by delivering more care in people’s homes. In other words, we need more transformative change so that our NHS is developed securely as it moves towards its centenary rather than short term measures focused on the annual race to save money.”
IJB member Cllr Moray Grant (SNP-West Garioch) added:
“The pressures on services due to our ageing population, the complexity of needs and other factors are immense. For example, GP prescribing costs are growing at such a rate that it’s outstripping our ability to fund it.
“Continuing funding cuts from the UK Treasury to the Scottish Government will force financial settlements that will lead to an even deeper financial crisis in the years immediately ahead.”
“Continuing funding cuts from the UK Treasury to the Scottish Government will force financial settlements that will lead to an even deeper financial crisis in the years immediately ahead.”
