19,000 signatures in petition bid to save Strathcarron Hospice from axe

A petition set-up by a local GP, has called for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to save the Strathcarron Hospice.

Nearly 20,000 people have put their names to the campaign that states that NHS Lanarkshire are to remove their funding from the centre that provides specialist palliative care and expert end of life care for the people of Forth Valley, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth.

Writing on the petition, Emma McPherson said: “I have been a GP in Cumbernauld for 16 years and have lived in Denny all my life.

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“My own mother died in Strathcarron Hospice in 2016. The care they provided allowed us to be with her to the end.

“We were afforded every possible consideration to try to ease her passing and I cannot thank them enough.

“I have, over the years, seen many NHS services removed or lessened and just sat back but I cannot for this.”

It adds: “Please if you value the Hospice sign this petition.

“Don’t allow this incredible service, which unfortunately so many of us at some point will rely on, to be threatened.

“If Lanarkshire Health Board remove their funding it will have the equivalent effect of meaning four less inpatient beds. So whatever area you live in - Stirlingshire, Falkirk, Cumbernauld or Kilsyth – this will affect you. Please help me to try to stop this.”

Dozens of locals have left emotional messages of support on the petition, explaining their reasons for getting involved.

Lorna Robertson posted: “I’m signing because my husband unfortunately had to go into Strathcarron but I wouldn’t have wanted him to be anywhere else for his last days.

“They are the most wonderful of staff and couldn’t do enough for John or me and my family.”

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Colin Lauder, NHS Lanarkshire’s director of planning, property and performance, said: “Funding for Strathcarron Hospice was confirmed earlier this year by Health and Social Care North Lanarkshire and is not under threat. The North Lanarkshire Integrated Joint Board remains committed to maintaining a strong relationship with Strathcarron Hospice, as long as demand for the service continues.

“Awarding the contract on a yearly basis has been the normal process across all hospice providers in Lanarkshire for a significant number of years. Any move to a multi-year contract would mean tendering on the open market.

“A pan-Lanarkshire model for Palliative Care Services and specialist hospice provision was agreed by both North and South Lanarkshire Health and Social Care Partnerships in December 2017. The model reflects the preferences of local people, expressed during a review of Palliative Care Services, which included stakeholder involvement, to receive end of life care in their own home as far as possible.

“This means community nursing and home care staff, supported by respective specialist clinical staff, working in an integrated 24/7 way to provide palliative and end of life care and support to people in their own homes or in a homely setting.”