I READ with interest Dr B D Vallance's criticism of the Frontline Scotland documentary (Letters, December 15) as "biased, misleading and alarmist". His communication then dealt almost exclusively with his own speciality of cardiology and did not address the impact these changes will have on other health professionals working within Lanarkshire.
We all believe that we are in possession of the truth with regard to the proposals for healthcare in Lanarkshire. In reality, we tend to view events from our own perspective and perceive the truth in the same way. I believe that I have 70per cent of the facts; the other 30per cent are covered by commercial sensitivity. What is true is that nobody has been able to refute the financial facts as Professor Pollock presented them. They have, however, been referred to as "politically motivated" (Andy Kerr), a "red herring" (Mr Davidson, chief executive of Lanarkshire Health Board) , "an issue, but a secondary one" (Messrs Browning, Moir and Wilson) and now "drivers for change . . . not financial" (Dr Vallance). They all possess their own view of the truth as they see it; what they do not seem to have is a single hymn sheet.
If the Frontline Scotland programme seemed biased to some, it was because it presented honestly the views of individuals who have serious concerns about the effect of the planned changes and also how these changes were arrived at. The Picture of Health consultation process failed to convince them of the reasons for, and benefits of, change. Though not contained in my contribution to the documentary, I am not against change where it will lead to improvements in services and, indeed, would have supported the downgrading and even the complete closure of Monklands Hospital if I felt we were moving to a better system of working which, in turn, would have met the requirements of all of Lanarkshire's patients in the 21st century.
What was clear from the series of meetings over the past two years was that the first choice of the surgeons of Lanarkshire was to retain the status quo. This, we were told, was not possible. What the public may be surprised to hear was that choice number two was to be radical and have all surgical specialities (elective/emergency) on one site in Lanarkshire. This also was not possible. Hence the poisoned chalice of two-site emergency surgical care and an elective care centre. In retrospect, there was a feeling of being guided to a predetermined decision. As Mr Gavin Tait, consultant orthopaedic surgeon from Crosshouse, indicated, for a number of very bad reasons taken several years ago, Lanarkshire missed the opportunity to have a major teaching hospital in the "sick heart of Lanarkshire" and we are now striving to do our best but are shackled by two legally binding PFI contracts.
Angus Macdonald, MD, FRCS, Consultant Colorectal Surgeon, Monklands Hospital, Airdrie.
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