http://www.neilfindlaymsp.com/lobbying-consultation-responses/

Neil Findlay MSP today asked the First Minister to personally intervene on the issue of the closure of the Children’s ward at St Johns for 3 weeks in July.

Mr Findlay conveyed the anger and concern felt by local people in West Lothian to the First Minister and urged him to address the inexcusable closure of the Children’s ward. Mr Findlay also asked that the First Minister meet with him to discuss the situation at St Johns.

Mr Salmond responded by stating that the Health Secretary would be happy to meet Mr Findlay.

Neil Findlay MSP said,

I am disappointed that the First Minister will not meet with me to discuss this intolerable situation. Nevertheless, I look forward to meeting the Health Minister in order to convey the anger and disappointment felt by people in West Lothian at this temporary closure of the Children’s Ward at St Johns. 

I welcome the First Ministers Comments that this unacceptable situation should never happen again.

However, what the First Minister does not seem to get is that this closure is related to the cuts to staffing levels across NHS Lothian and a failure of workforce planning.

I am afraid that the closure at St Johns does appear to be inextricably linked to the cuts made by the Scottish Government. Particularly the withdrawal of junior doctor training posts following the SNP workforce plans for a Scottish wide reduction of 20% in junior doctors.

Following a series of one-day strikes on Fridays which began last month, officials say the company has given written commitments that it will respect established agreements in the future and engage in ‘meaningful consultation’ over new the contracts.

Management has also agreed to a further 1% in basic pay for staff.

Workers at the West Lothian site make specialised packaging and labels.

The union protested that local management had withdrawn facilities such as computers from reps at the plant and locked them out of offices which contained union files.

Neil Findlay said:

” This is a great victory for the workers at Livingston – it shows that when people stick together and stand up to attempts to bully them they can achieve great results. UNITE officials led this dispute well and secured a fine result for their members – congratulations to all concerned.”

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After a long campaign led by the community and supported by MSP Neil Findlay Scottish Water have now promised to fix the problem and reimburse those most affected.

Congratulations to the people of Torphichen

NEIL FINDLAY MSP ANNUAL REPORT