A SURGEON has attacked the decision not to include general anaesthetic facilities in plans for the new East Lothian Community Hospital.

As revealed in the Courier revealed last month, the new community hospital, on the site of the existing Roodlands Hospital in Haddington, is unlikely to be home to surgery requiring general anaesthetic (GA).

Simon Paterson-Brown, a surgeon at Roodlands, wrote to Jim Crombie, chief officer, acute hospital services at the NHS, saying: “The clinicians and nurses involved in the delivery of GA care at Roodlands are totally committed to continuing to do so and the current plans put forward by NHS Lothian are very badly thought out, short-sighted in the extreme and devoid of any clinical support.

“When GA facilities are stopped in Roodlands, there will be a large number of patients whose operations will not be able to be done elsewhere.

Mr Paterson-Brown also urged for talks to take place “at the highest level”, and offered to give his input.

He added: “I think this now needs to be discussed at the highest level and with senior clinical input, which appears to have been sadly lacking so far. I am very willing to help in any further discussions aimed at reaching the best decision for the long-term future of GA services in Lothian, rather than a cheaper option which will not provide the actual resources required.”

Iain Gray MSP said the letter “confirmed his worst fears” about NHS Lothian’s plans for the new community hospital.

He said: “Rather than taking this opportunity to give the people of East Lothian a modern facility with a wider range of services, NHS Lothian managers seem intent on reducing clinical services and delivering less for local people.

“If they don’t rethink their decision on GA services now, we will lose an incredibly valuable service in Haddington.

“Worse than that, it now seems clear that if these services are not provided at the new hospital, it will actually cost the NHS more by increasing the number of operations taking place elsewhere, including in the private sector.

Mr Paterson-Brown’s letter also highlights concerns about the current plans for endoscopy provision, which are described as not being fit for purpose.

Mr Iain Gray MSP was concerned at the latest developments, and added: “As well as slamming the decision to axe GA services, this letter has also revealed clinicians’ concerns about current plans for the endoscopy provision at the new facility. This has been heralded as one of the key facilities at the new hospital. But if the plans are not even right for this service, what else are they getting wrong?”

David Small, chief officer, East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “Our new community hospital is a positive development for East Lothian and will bring significant benefits.

“We anticipate submitting our business case to the Scottish Government for approval in July, with construction works due to start in early 2017.”