Brechiners out in force for health meeting
MONDAY, 9 NOVEMBER, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brechiners out in force for health meeting
Locals turned out in numbers to a meeting, organised by Brechin Churches Together, to hear from NHS Tayside about changes to health services in the town.
Over 100 people, including local councillors, heard from Dr Michelle Watts, NHS Tayside Associate Medical Director, about the latest developments at Brechin Health Centre, services at Brechin Infirmary and plans for future delivery of healthcare services in the area.
Gail Smith, lead nurse and Interim Lead Officer for Angus and Eilaine Boulter, Advanced Nurse Practitioner for the north east locality, were also on hand to answer questions from the audience.
Dr Watts said, “It was great to see so many people at the meeting and I would like to thank Grahame Lockhart from Brechin Churches Together for organising it and inviting us along.
“I hope that the audience felt that we were honest about the issues we are facing but were reassured that we are doing our very best to ensure that the community continues to have access to local health services that are safe, reliable, and sustainable.
“We hope to introduce the Enhanced Community Support model of care into the Brechin locality which will help us support people in their own homes and avoid hospital admission where possible. This model has been very successful in other parts of Angus, so we are keen to get the benefits of it in Brechin for our patients and their families and carers.
“We would very much like to involve the local community in helping us shape how health services can be delivered in future, so I would encourage anyone interested to get in touch with us at the practice.”
Grahame Lockhart, on behalf of Brechin Churches Together, said, “We were very pleased for this opportunity to hear at first-hand about changes to health services in Brechin, and it is important to emphasise that this meeting is just the first step in an ongoing engagement with NHS Tayside.
“The excellent turnout was a clear indication of the community’s concern at the changes taking place and whilst there are still significant issues to be addressed, there is hope that we can begin to work together in shaping the delivery of healthcare in the future.”
Contact:
Gaynyr Dickson
NHS Tayside Communications
01382 740716
