Andrew has written to the Chief officer at Aberdeenshire Health and Social Care Partnership to ask for clarity on the decisions being made around the future of Aboyne Hospital.
The hospital has been held under review with one of the options being the closure of the facility. A further assessment is being carried out and could take up to 18 months to complete, it is believed that the hospital could be closed during this period and Andrew shares the concerns of residents that it may lead to it remaining closed at the end, regardless of the assessment outcome.
In his letter he said;
"When I meet with residents in West Aberdeenshire, one issue that is raised that is of significant concern to residents is the future of Aboyne Hospital. Residents understand there has, over the past 18 months, been an incredible burden placed on the NHS, and on staff in particular, and that this has resulted in a re-organisation of the existing service offering in Upper Deeside and Donside."
"Residents also understand that a wide ranging Strategic Needs Assessment will be undertaken to help shape the future provision of services, however, what they express to me is their concern that the hospital will be closed during the assessment [possibly for up to 18 months] and that access to vital clinics and more importantly, in-patient services, will be lost."
He asked;
"Can you tell me if AHSCP intends to keep Aboyne Hospital open, specifically in-patient services, while you conduct the Strategic Needs Assessment and develop proposals for the implementation of any new service delivery model?
