This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/7262297.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Reprieve for brain surgery units | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| All four of Scotland's specialist neurosurgery units are to be retained, it has been announced. | |
| Neurosurgery is currently performed at hospitals in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee. | |
| The Scottish Government was looking at plans to centralise expertise at one single centre of excellence, probably in Edinburgh or Glasgow. | The Scottish Government was looking at plans to centralise expertise at one single centre of excellence, probably in Edinburgh or Glasgow. |
| However, Health Minister Shona Robison said there was "no clear evidence" to support a single site. | |
| Campaigners in the north east had claimed people who suffered brain injuries would die if they were forced into long journeys to the central belt for treatment. | Campaigners in the north east had claimed people who suffered brain injuries would die if they were forced into long journeys to the central belt for treatment. |
| Ms Robison's decision came after a report compiled by the Neuroscience Implementation Group, a panel of experts brought in by former health minister Andy Kerr. | |
| I hope that my announcement today allays the concerns of staff, patients and families and marks the start of a period of stability Shona RobisonHealth Minister class="" href="/1/hi/scotland/north_east/7262707.stm">Decision 'will save lives' | |
| About 25,000 people petitioned the Scottish Parliament demanding that the brain surgery services be retained in the north east of Scotland. | |
| Edinburgh's Royal Hospital for Sick Children also launched a campaign to keep its service. | Edinburgh's Royal Hospital for Sick Children also launched a campaign to keep its service. |
| Visiting the neurology unit in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Ms Robison said: "There was no evidence in the report to support the case for moving to a single site for neurosurgical services, a scenario which I know many were concerned about. | |
| "I appreciate that there has been a great deal of uncertainty around neurosurgical services for a number of years. | |
| "I hope that my announcement today allays the concerns of staff, patients and families and marks the start of a period of stability." | |
| She explained: "By maintaining a neurosurgical presence in each of the units, we are directly addressing fears which have been expressed about the management of neurosurgical emergencies, particularly in the north east. | |
| "It is now up to the staff at each of the four sites in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow to work together to make sure the new model delivers maximum benefits to service users and their families." | |
| Public thanked | |
| Aberdeen North MSP Brian Adam said: "Keeping these services in the north east is essential. | |
| "This decision is a victory for all those local campaigners who made sure that the needs of the north east were heard loud and clear." | |
| Dr Roelf Dijkhuizen, medical director of NHS Grampian, said: "We firmly support the conclusion that neurosurgical services should continue to be provided from the four existing centres. | |
| "I would like to acknowledge the enormous effort staff in Aberdeen put in in compiling our submission to the report. I must also thank patients and the public for their constructive contributions, which are clearly reflected in the report." | |
| Lothians MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "This is great news for the Sick Kids Hospital and a real tribute to all those who have campaigned to keep neurological services in the city." |