Dundee SNP

Commenting on the latest figures showing that of 8,000 attacks on NHS Staff in Tayside, only two were reported to the Police, Dundee West MSP Joe Fitzpatrick said:

I deplore any assaults on NHS staff. Although only two were reported to the police, 8000 incidents were recorded, which suggests to me that the underlying problem is significant.

“In March last year, my Dundee colleague Shona Robison, as Minster of Public Health, introduced enhanced protection measures for NHS staff as part of the Emergency Workers Act.

In January 2007 the Justice Committee approved modifications to the Act and it now extends to cover GPs, other doctors, nurses and midwives working in the community.

“Most people have nothing but admiration for the fantastic work of the staff in the health service.

“Abusive or violent behaviour is entirely unacceptable and offenders must face the possibility of being charged and prosecuted. A zero tolerance policy on aggression and violence must be exactly that.

“We must encourage NHS staff to report cases of abuse or assault in the workplace and send out a clear message to offenders that their actions will not be tolerated and they could face prosecution.”

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick has welcomed a funding boost for NHS Tayside that will help provide better and faster access to drug treatment services for people with drug problems.

The Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing announced the funding plans today in Aberdeen – to support the national drugs strategy, ‘Road to Recovery: A New Approach To Tackling Scotland’s Drug Problem’, unanimously supported by Parliament last year. Today’s announcement means that Tayside Health Board will receive an increase of 11.3% in funding, from £2,039,000 to £2,314,265.

Mr Ewing said: “Drug misuse harms individuals and damages communities. As the drugs strategy makes clear, promoting recovery from drug addiction is crucial to helping people turn around their lives, from misery to hope. It also makes families and communities safer.

“We want recovery to be the aim of all drug treatment and rehabilitation services – and we all want to see a wider range of services in place than there has been in the past.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “I’m delighted that Tayside Health Board will receive this significant funding increase for 2009-10 to help tackle the problem of drug abuse.

“Dundee’s particular problems have recently been well-documented by the local press. Tayside Police have taken strong and effective action against drug users on the street with extensive use of stop-and-search powers and a number of arrests and have made a significant impact on the quantity of illegal drugs in circulation locally.

“This extra funding will help get those seeking help the treatment they need – and quickly. It will help Tayside Health Board and their key partners to increase their funding to voluntary organisations that work with drug abusers.

“This announcement is about offering hope for troubled lives and directions towards a road to recovery.”

Dundee’s SNP MSPs today gave an enthusiastic welcome to the announcement by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon that car parking charges at hospitals across Scotland will be abolished from December 31^st.

They added their voice to the Health Secretary’s calls for boards with PFI deals, signed under previous Labour administrations, to work with contractors to reduce the charges at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and Ninewells in Dundee.

Joe Fitzpatrick SNP MSP for Dundee West where as a result of a PFI deal for car parking charges will remain in place at Ninewells said;

“This is a welcome announcement for the rest of Scotland but serves to highlight the problems faced at Ninewells in Dundee, where as a result of the use of a private finance deal for carparking the charges will remain and serves to highlight the problems of the PFI deals pushed forward by previous Labour administrations and Health Ministers.

“Along with those who use and work at Edinburgh and Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary people in Dundee will continue to pay these charges and I welcome the Health Secretary’s efforts to urge these hospitals to take action to reduce their charges.”

“The abolition of car parking charges in Scotland’s other hospital car parks is excellent news and shows the SNP’s commitment to an NHS that is free.

“With parking and prescription charges now on the way out this is a good day for all those who use the NHS and who work in the NHS.

“Charging those who work in our NHS, who need treatment in the NHS or who are visiting loved ones was grossly unfair and has caused outrage across Scotland.   The £3 cap has made a big difference and abolishing charges at the end of the year will bring a great start to the New Year for the NHS.”

“I know employees and trade unions as well as patients and visitors have opposed these charges and am sure this news will be well received.

“The SNP has supported those who have campaigned against the charges and I am pleased Nicola Sturgeon has been able to act to lift this tax on the sick, their carers and their families.”