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/glasgow_and_west/5406476.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Hospital casualty unit to close | Hospital casualty unit to close |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The accident and emergency department at Ayr Hospital is to close. | The accident and emergency department at Ayr Hospital is to close. |
| The decision by NHS Ayrshire and Arran will leave the region with one accident and emergency department at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock. | The decision by NHS Ayrshire and Arran will leave the region with one accident and emergency department at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock. |
| The health board plans to set up five community casualty units around Ayrshire to deal with minor injuries. | The health board plans to set up five community casualty units around Ayrshire to deal with minor injuries. |
| The health board said it was good news. But local opposition MSPs condemned the decision and called on Health Minister Andy Kerr to overturn it. | The health board said it was good news. But local opposition MSPs condemned the decision and called on Health Minister Andy Kerr to overturn it. |
| NHS Ayrshire and Arran said all sections of community would benefit from an investment of £70m over 10 years.. | NHS Ayrshire and Arran said all sections of community would benefit from an investment of £70m over 10 years.. |
| I will be arguing as strongly as I can that the decision should be rejected, this fight is very far from over Ayr MSP John Scott | I will be arguing as strongly as I can that the decision should be rejected, this fight is very far from over Ayr MSP John Scott |
| Executive Medical Director Dr Bob Masterton said: "I believe this is good news for the people we serve. | Executive Medical Director Dr Bob Masterton said: "I believe this is good news for the people we serve. |
| "It means more health services, including casualties, locally in communities across Ayrshire and Arran. | "It means more health services, including casualties, locally in communities across Ayrshire and Arran. |
| "Very significantly, it ensures major investment in the ambulance service and transport infrastructure before any changes are made." | "Very significantly, it ensures major investment in the ambulance service and transport infrastructure before any changes are made." |
| Chief Executive Wai-yin Hatton said there would be no changes to emergency services at Ayr until Community Casualty Facilities and Enhanced Nurse Practitioners had been introduced and evaluated and a viable transport plan in place. | Chief Executive Wai-yin Hatton said there would be no changes to emergency services at Ayr until Community Casualty Facilities and Enhanced Nurse Practitioners had been introduced and evaluated and a viable transport plan in place. |
| 'Backward step' | 'Backward step' |
| SNP MSP for South of Scotland, Adam Ingram, described the move as ridiculous and dangerous and called on Mr Kerr to overturn the decision. | SNP MSP for South of Scotland, Adam Ingram, described the move as ridiculous and dangerous and called on Mr Kerr to overturn the decision. |
| He said: "The health board has ridden roughshod over the wishes and feelings of the people of the area in making this backward step. | He said: "The health board has ridden roughshod over the wishes and feelings of the people of the area in making this backward step. |
| The decision to close the unit was condemned by opposition MSPs | |
| "The ball is now firmly in Andy Kerr's court." | "The ball is now firmly in Andy Kerr's court." |
| Scottish Conservatives MSP for Ayr, John Scott, said the decision was completely wrong. | Scottish Conservatives MSP for Ayr, John Scott, said the decision was completely wrong. |
| "Instead of taking into account the views of local health professionals and the overwhelming opposition of local people, the health board has simply opted to follow the centralising policy of the Scottish Executive, which is plainly not appropriate for Ayrshire. | "Instead of taking into account the views of local health professionals and the overwhelming opposition of local people, the health board has simply opted to follow the centralising policy of the Scottish Executive, which is plainly not appropriate for Ayrshire. |
| "I will be arguing as strongly as I can that the decision should be rejected, this fight is very far from over." | "I will be arguing as strongly as I can that the decision should be rejected, this fight is very far from over." |
| Health Minister Andy Kerr said: "When the board submits its proposals to me for a final decision I will give very careful consideration to all of the information available to me and all of the representations made to me before I come to a decision." | Health Minister Andy Kerr said: "When the board submits its proposals to me for a final decision I will give very careful consideration to all of the information available to me and all of the representations made to me before I come to a decision." |