McConnell opens treatment centre

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A controversial health centre where NHS patients will be treated by a private company has been opened.

First Minister Jack McConnell performed the official launch of the Scottish Regional Treatment Centre at Stracathro Hospital, near Brechin in Angus.

He said using the independent sector to treat NHS patients was helping reduce waiting times in Scotland.

The Scottish National Party welcomed the centre but said services should remain in the NHS.

It is expected that up to 9,000 procedures will be carried out at the treatment centre over the next three years.

Even those who opposed the changes at the time now agree that it has been in the best interests of patients Jack McConnellFirst Minister

NHS Tayside has struck a £15m deal with private operator Netcare UK to provide procedures, including ear, nose and throat and general surgery, to patients from Tayside, Grampian and Fife.

Mr McConnell said the centre was an "integral part" of the NHS in Scotland.

"The change here from the old facility to this new one was controversial, as many changes in the health service can be," he said.

"But even those who opposed the changes at the time now agree that it has been in the best interests of patients.

"By using the independent sector to treat NHS patients we have been able to reduce health waiting times."

He said the Scottish Executive was not taking investment away from the NHS through such projects.

'Valuable addition'

"We are investing in both, and our record NHS funding is driving the biggest building programme since the creation of the NHS," he said.

"This is about securing the benefits of the independent sector for NHS patients; this is not privatising the NHS."

Shona Robison, the SNP's health spokeswoman, said the centre was a valuable addition to the country's health services.

"The SNP want to develop such centres, but within the NHS rather than in the private sector," she said.

"Keeping services in the NHS means that we can keep costs down and get more funding to frontline healthcare, as we know that costs are higher in the private sector as they have to run at a profit."