Hospice gets reprieve - for now
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 22 Jul 2011 08:25
9 Comments
THE news that the Queen Margaret Hospital hospice ward has been given a reprieve for the time being has been welcomed in West Fife.
However, with closure still not ruled out the campaign, backed by the Press in recent weeks, to save the haven for terminally ill patients and their families goes on.
The palliative care ward 16 had been proposed for closure to save £322,000 a year but there was a furious reaction to this in West Fife, which is already set to lose major services with the downgrading of the Queen Margaret and opening of the expanded Victoria at the start of next year.
Last week's operation division committee decided to put off a decision until a report was produced on palliative care provision across Fife.
Inverkeithing widower Archie McQueen said, "It's very good news that they're having a re-think."
Amid the many stories carried by the Press on the hospice in recent weeks, Mr McQueen had previously spoken poignantly of the hospice "angels" who had treated his wife during her final days.
After the decision to delay he said, "The figure of £300,000 is not a lot of money when you consider the kind of peace people can find in the ward.
"It's not all about a place for people to die. It also offers respite care which gives the families a much needed break.
"Maybe they could do away with some of the cars for these guys at the top of the NHS to save some money."
NHS Fife elected board member John Winton, from Rosyth, said, "They keep saying it's not all about money but it is.
"They know people in West Fife are not going to just sit back and accept this."
At the committee meeting, chair David Stewart criticised what he described as the "knee-jerk" reaction of politicians in West Fife over the hospice issue.
MP Thomas Docherty hit back, "I won't be intimidated by NHS officials or the SNP for that matter on speaking out on this.
"I know they face financial difficulties with a tight budget and if NHS Fife have alternative proposals for delivery of palliative care in West Fife then we will listen to them but just to go ahead and close the ward is unacceptable."
MSP Bill Walker said, "I've spoken to Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon about this issue and she has encouraged me to continue campaigning for the retention of the ward.
"This would be a cut too far. People go there at the most traumatic time of their lives and it's also that for their families.
"Some are elderly and it is not acceptable to be telling people they have to go through to Kirkcaldy."
A worker in ward 16, who did not want to be named, contacted the Press, to say, "They definitely want to close the ward down which would be a terrible shame.
"You would hear that from people whose relatives were treated there.
"Things have gone worse and worse at the hospital. The amount of managers has grown and grown over the years but there's not enough staff."
Have your say. Post a comment on this article.
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Matron
Unregistered User
Jul 22, 15:01
Report commentUnlikely to be alternative palliative care in Vhk, as going to have less beds as it is. Typical management panicking at their lack of budgeting skills. Management jobs all secure I bet and they can't even run a p*** up in a brewery. Crazy timing for this decision when the move to the new hospital happening soon.
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tax payer
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Jul 22, 17:27
Report commentYes they had to say yes as matron says the fat CATS wont take a WAGE cut and help keep the hospice open in q.m.h. for good
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DunfermlineDad
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Jul 23, 11:53
Report commentWard 16 is a great ward with skilled staff and should never be closed.
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Matron
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Jul 23, 18:47
Report commentThose skilled staff need the support though.
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The Stig
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Jul 27, 17:47
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Matron
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Jul 28, 17:08
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Matron
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Aug 1, 18:18
Report commentI suppose you are the expert in spouting drivel then ?
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Matron
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Aug 3, 16:25
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Dr Crippen
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Aug 4, 22:18
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