Local MSP for the Linlithgow Constituency, Fiona Hyslop, has raised the issue of the temporarily closed St Michael’s Hospital in Linlithgow in the Scottish Parliament as part of a Ministerial Statement on Winter Planning and Social Care.
During his statement the Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, announced a record winter funding package of over £300m in hospitals and the community to help increase NHS and social care capacity this winter and focussed on the use of step down community care.
In Fiona’s question to the Cabinet Secretary for Health she highlighted the importance of community based elderly care and nursing. She also sought assurances that the Scottish Government would impress upon West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership the need for a facility in the north of the county as a priority for services with the resources he announced today.
Fiona said,
“St Michaels Hospital for elderly care and respite in Linlithgow is subject already to temporary closure since the summer due to wider health staff shortages in Lothian due to illness and self-isolation.
“However this is under review by West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership and I want to make sure that any changes to this service understands the importance of community based elderly care and respite in the north of the county and that a return of services to this area must be a priority.
“I was pleased that the Cabinet Secretary replied that he would will stress this point with local stakeholders at his next meeting with them.”
ENDS
To read the statement in full see below :