Proposed closure of Perth Accident and Emergency

[Perfidiousalbionn]

The Government are refusing to answer questions on this, but it looks as though the decision has been made to close Perth Royal Infirmary A&E because Ninewells in Dundee is short-staffed (I think they froze recruitment to save money, and are now dangerously understaffed, so closing the A&E Department in Perth and sending the staff to Ninewells is a quick fix for Ninewells). So if you're in Perthshire and you have a medical crisis, you'll now somehow have to get to Dundee.

PressReader.com | Health chief refuses to rule out A&E clos­ure

It's fucking shit.

That is really worrying.
It feels as though the Health Service is just falling to pieces.

I read in one newspaper article that it would help Ninewells (Dundee) to meet its targets. I suppose there won't be a problem with targets in Perth, because when A&E is closed down there, that target will cease to exist. I suspect it's that simple. The fact that Dundee is an SNP stronghold could possibly have something to do with it too.

A&E in Perth has always been busy when I've been there. Of course the number of people who have medical emergencies won't go down in Perthshire, but I suspect that a lot of them won't make it to A&E. And it can only increase demand for ambulances, which are already very overstretched.

And the constant roadworks between Perth and Dundee won’t help!

We’ve only had to use the a&e in Perth a few times, but the fact it is so close has been really important and the staff were absolutely wonderful each time. Not to mention getting there either by public transport or car is much easier than Ninewells if you aren’t in Dundee.

It would take hours to get to Ninewells by public transport from somewhere like Comrie. There's no direct bus, and buses are infrequent and don't run at night. It takes a long time to drive there.

if your outside dundee and don't drive then this is a nightmare. have a disabled friend who will be in this situation and she's really worried.

If you live alone and drive, you probably won't be able to drive if you have a medical emergency. And even if you can pay a large amount of money for a very long taxi ride, chances are a taxi won't be available, if you live anywhere small.

If people can't get to A&E, that's obviously going to lead to medical conditions worsening, which will cost the NHS more money in the long run. (though not so much when people die, I suppose. Maybe that's the plan).

That’s crazy! I live in Ayrshire but last year was attacked by dogs near Kinloch Rannoch and had to drive myself to A&E in Perth. Can’t even remember how long the drive took - with hindsight was probably in shock - but over an hour I think.

Our local councillor has posted about this today. NHS tayside has said it has no plans to close accident and emergency at the PRI.

Apparently the Scottish Health Minister has written to Murdo Fraser, who asked the question in the Scottish Parliament (at which time she wouldn't answer it) to say that there are "no current plans" to close it. Note the use of "current".

I find the statement (see attached) on when people should present to A and E disingenuous. Apparently it's only if the issue is life-threatening and you need to be seen within minutes, and you should call NHS24 first and only go to A and E if they tell you to. Well, I phoned them quite recently and there was just a phone message saying that someone would talk to me in 45 minutes. Plus even if you have a car and can still drive it may well take you an hour to drive to Perth. So we're not talking minutes, are we? And there will then be a long wait in A and E, even if people start behaving more sensibly.

Yes, too many people are turning up at A and E with non-urgent conditions. At least in part because in some places there's a one month wait to get a GP appointment. Perth and Dundee have already brought in a scheme where if you turn up after 8pm with a non-urgent medical problem they'll give you an appointment to return during the daytime. I don't know how they've been getting on with that. Has anyone experienced it?

NHS Tayside clarifies status of Emergency Department amid closure rumours - Yahoo News UK