CRAIG Hoy, a Conservative MSP for South Scotland, has criticised the SNP’s Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf, for “turning his back” on North Berwick’s Edington Cottage Hospital.
Mr Hoy’s comment comes after the Health Secretary admitted that he has yet to meet or discuss with East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership about the reopening of inpatient services at the Edington.
Inpatient services were closed at Edington Cottage Hospital indefinitely over a year ago by the Scottish Government and NHS Lothian using emergency GOLD Command powers introduced during the Covid pandemic.
Six inpatient beds were moved from the hospital in North Berwick to East Lothian Community Hospital in Haddington alongside the staff who supported them. However the move resulted in four nurses quitting the NHS altogether.
Decisions to reopen inpatient services at Edington Cottage Hospital are made by NHS Lothian and East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership.
Humza Yousaf’s admission came after Hoy submitted a written question to the Scottish Government asking: “what ministerial meetings or discussions have been held with East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership about returning suspended services, including inpatient services, to the Edington Hospital in North Berwick.”
Mr Yousaf responded to Mr Hoy: “I have had regular discussions with the Chief Executive, NHS Lothian but have not specifically met with the Chief Officer, East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership to discuss the Edington Hospital in North Berwick.
“On 17 January (2022), I met with delegates from East Lothian and listened to their concerns about Edington Hospital and underlined that decisions about local provision are best made locally. The decision when to re-open Edington Hospital is to be made by NHS Lothian and East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership.
“However, I expect any decision that is made to take into account the needs of the local population, and ensure an appropriate level of service are in place to meet those needs.”
Mr Hoy commented: “Humza Yousaf’s failure to engage with East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership and respond to staffing issues across the health board underlines his government’s lack of interest in supporting local healthcare facilities in East Lothian.
“He is turning his back on the Edington, as well as local patients and their families and local healthcare staff.
“Yousaf defended the decision to close the Edington over a year ago without any consultation of local residents or hospital staff, despite significant cross-party opposition to the closure of the hospital in the local community.
“The Scottish Government and NHS Lothian now need to be honest with the community about whether they ever intend to reopen inpatient services at the Hospital.”
