News item 24th August 2008

News from the Front

1st. Anniversary Edition.

It is almost unbelievable, but quite true, that the first anniversary of the election of the “Gang of Three” approaches. We could bring all the old clichés into play: a week-far less a year!-is a long time in politics; where does time go; time passes more quickly as you get older (please note Ellen and John, although I’ll catch up!); and even time passes when you’re enjoying yourself. But enough of the frivolity.

As we approach the end of what has been an extremely long year for all of us involved in the struggle for St. John’s, we should perhaps reflect on what has been achieved, and the work we still have to do. I suppose we might as well start at the beginning, and work our way forward, although much of the progress we have made has been in recent weeks. Nevertheless, the work during the intervening period has been essential to delivering the outcomes that will shortly be achieved.

For your Councillors, directly elected for the first time in West Lothian on a single issue platform, it has not been a single issue year. As we have often said, we remain first and foremost, Action to Save St. John’s Councillors, and we are committed more than ever to your cause. But we are also members of the administration group in the Council, and it requires tremendous commitment to fully discharge our duties and responsibilities. I have joked before that I never thought I would ever be working for less than minimum wage, but when we look at the hours we dedicate to the task, that’s how it works out! There are, however, greater rewards than the purely financial, and although we wouldn’t be human if we didn’t from time to time grumble about the workload, the three of us derive great satisfaction from our work. We never forget our responsibility to you, our supporters, and the wider community as a whole.

The Early Days.

As many of you will be aware, our first few months were like being born again. Learning to walk-the walk and talk-the talk. I have often referred to the steepest learning curve of my life, and I’m sure Ellen and John won’t entirely disagree. We had to make huge decisions, particularly in forming an administration. There are those who are still sceptical about our strategic alignment with the SNP group, but I will state again that this was ENTIRELY to do with their aspirations and manifesto pledges being closer to ours, than those of the Labour Party. Any suggestion other than this is simply ill-informed.

John was of course appointed to the Board of NHS Lothian. This met with fierce opposition as was reported in the press at the time, but his appointment as the first health board member in Scotland, directly elected on a health mandate has now been widely accepted. During the intervening months, John has worked quietly and diligently to forge relationships with his colleagues on the Board. This has been no easy task, given the wide range of competing interests, but with his now world-renowned stubbornness, and his bloody minded determination, he is beginning to make his mark. In order for this progress to continue, he requires our continued support and trust, and we should be confident in his ability to deliver a long term commitment to St. John’s.

The Cooncil and Governement.

The Cooncil is West Lothian’s largest employer, with over 8000 employees. Heading up the paid service is the Chief Executive, Alex Linkston, who has served the Council for 40 years. Now if he confesses to having difficulty keeping track of all areas of activity after 40 years, I think we can be forgiven not having picked it all up in less than a year!

The Council is a hugely diverse organisation, and it is the driving force for the delivery of policy decisions taken by the Councillors. Without their commitment and dedication to the task, our job would be meaningless. It is therefore important to remember that this is a partnership, and that no one element can successfully operate in isolation. That cannot be understated, and I am sure John and Ellen would agree that we have been ably supported by Alex and his team at all levels. Not that there haven’t been hiccups!!

In addition to the paid service are our colleagues in administration, and the remaining Councillors who form an able opposition. As I have highlighted above, we had to make a choice post-election as to who would lead the administration. Enough has been said there. I would like to thank our colleagues in the SNP for their valued support and guidance, and in particular the Leader, Councillor Johnston. Peter has been a valued colleague, and has shown an absolute commitment to St. John’s Hospital and healthcare in West Lothian, together with a vision of how it should be shaped in the future.

Angela Constance MSP has been a further source of great support for local health issues, and is actively involved on an almost daily basis when issues of concern to staff and patients arise. With the support of Angela, Fiona Hyslop MSP, and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, and in view of Nicola Sturgeon’s recent comments confirming the future of St. John’s is secure, we are well on the way to achieving our long term objectives.

NHS Board Relationship.

You have heard a lot over the last year about the Board, and there has been significant and justifiable criticism of their activities. However, it is important to remember that we have not levelled criticism for the sake of it, and as we have stated many times, the majority of what the Board does is excellent work. Where we have levelled criticism, it has been in those areas where we feel they could carry out their functions better, to ensure a better quality and delivery of service to West Lothian in particular, and Lothian wide in general.

Unfortunately, as can happen when new working relationships need to be established, there was a clear lack of trust. We were forced to take a robust stance with the board, and did so in the face of institutional prevarication and obfuscation. I believe we have now moved on from those unfortunate beginnings. John’s steely determination has seen him forging what we hope will be long lasting working relationships that will deliver tangible benefits and improvements for St. John’s and the wider community.

In recent weeks, we have met with the Board together with senior officers of the Council, and accompanied by the Leader of the Council and Provost. We enjoyed a frank exchange of views, and an agreement will shortly be put in place which will be the basis for future working between the two organisations. That is a huge step forward, and it is important that this has been achieved, not least to maintain the stability of the partnership arrangements already in place such as the Community Health and Care Partnership.

I cannot give any assurances that the road forward will not be a rocky one, but at least we should be able to agree to disagree, without the need for conflict. If the Board is prepared to address issues and concerns as they are raised in a positive fashion, I for one am convinced the deliverability of a secure future for St. John’s as an acute emergency hospital, well past the key date of 2009 is eminently achievable.

Trust Action to Save St. John’s for a secure future for our hospital.

Well, that about wraps it up from me. We, your Councillors, have had a roller-coaster year. Our sense of achievement is tangible. Our critics have run out of ammunition, except to re-cycle the old rubbish. I am disappointed that it continues in this way, as so many of them have much to offer a campaign such as ours. They have a wealth of experience, and could offer wise counsel where currently there is nothing more than lamentably repetitive rhetoric. I have to assume that comes from the system of politics in which we find ourselves.

In closing, I would simply offer this for the future. We, the “Gang of Three” were given a unique opportunity in 2007, thanks in the main to the SDC and the public of West Lothian. For that, you have our gratitude and thanks. In return, we give you the same assurance we did last year: we will not waiver or falter in our fight to achieve your aims and objective for St. John’s. We will change direction and adopt strategies with which some of you may disagree, but that is in the nature of our struggle. You have given us your support, your time and your votes. We now ask for your trust. Trust that we will not lose sight of your goals. Trust that we will not rest until they are secured. Trust our judgement, since we are uniquely placed to make the right decisions. And finally, trust that the future of St. John’s is safe in our hands.