Shake-up plan fudge denied

Maternity facilities at Stirling and Falkirk are in doubt

A health board in Scotland has denied a fudge over plans to centralise key services at one hospital.

Forth Valley Health Board had agreed to close women and children's services at either Falkirk or Stirking hospitals, but it had failed to decide which of the two should receive the new facility.

A further consultation process will now be carried out with the three local authorities involved and the Acute Hospitals Trust which covers both infirmaries.

Members of Forth Valley Health Council say they remain concerned about the inadequate consultation process.

Resurrection of the issue comes as the health board is told to "stop dithering" over the controversial shake-up.

Independent MP and MSP Dennis Canavan said he believed a decision might be fudged for a while longer and urged an end to the matter.

Protests made

Councillors have already expressed disquiet about the plans and they are keen for the board to change tack.

When the scheme was announced as part of a £31.5m shake-up of acute services, there was a public outcry.

Women living in rural Stirlingshire protested that the move to centralise maternity services at Falkirk Royal Infirmary could mean them having to travel 50 miles to give birth.

And a subsequent report by consultants, nurses and patients concluded that children needing emergency surgery outside normal weekday working would have to be transferred to Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Meanwhile, Falkirk Royal Infirmary's acute surgical services will be switched to Stirling under the plans.

The move would see the major trauma section of Falkirk's accident and emergency department relocated 10 miles away to Stirling.