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21st June 2009.

The recent debacle involving a letter signed by 17 Middle Grade Doctors at St. John’s Hospital has become an unseemly spat between the Stop the Downgrade Campaign, NHS Lothian and the media. We would like to distance ourselves from this situation.

The letter appears to have first been made public at a meeting of the SDC on 21st. May, which Cllrs. Glass and I, together with Cllr. Peter Johnston and Angela Constance MSP attended. We were horrified at the manner in which it was revealed, and even more shocked when we, the politicians, were sharply told that we would need to protect the signatories.

I made a very clear and robust statement to a packed meeting, stating that the proposition that we should be held accountable if there was any disciplinary action taken by NHS Lothian was absurd and frankly outrageous. To propel a group of Doctors involved in a legitimate complaint with their employers into the public spotlight was unacceptable.

I understand that NHS Lothian addressed the Doctor’s concerns, and the Doctors have now signed an open letter stating that this is the case. What is disappointing is that my colleagues and I are now being criticised from all sides.

I want to make clear that none of the politicians in attendance had advance notice of this letter. I cannot speak for others on their opinion of the letter, but I can say that a collective decision was taken to allow Cllr. Johnston, as Leader of West Lothian Council, to take these matters up with the Chair of NHS Lothian.

That is what happened, and Cllr. Johnston received a reply last week outlining the measures taken to address the issues in the letter. It is unfortunate that before we could analyse the response, far less comment on the counter posing comments, the Doctor’s letter was released to the wider media.

We would never want to be seen to stand in the way of freedom of expression, and open, healthy debate on the future of our hospital. However, for our “inaction” to be described as “criminal” is just as offensive and hurtful as the criticism of our collective decision to allow Cllr. Johnston to write to Charles Winstanley on behalf of us all.

If any Doctor remains unconvinced by the responses they have received, or anyone wishes to give us an update to contradict the position of NHS Lothian, we are ready and willing to take these matters up. Until then, the matter is closed.

Councillor Gordon Beurskens.

 

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