Constance reveals new admission figures

SNP candidate in the Livingston by-election, Angela Constance, has revealed new information in a letter from NHS Lothian to Fiona Hyslop MSP.

The letter shows that:
- In the last 10 months 1118 West Lothian patients have been admitted to the ERI for emergency surgery compared to 134 in the previous 12 months.
- In the last 12 months 425 West Lothian patients have been admitted to the ERI for emergency orthopaedics compared to 43 in the previous 12 months.

Ms Constance, who is meeting nurses from St John's hospital today, said:

These figures show the actual level of admissions to the ERI from West Lothian for services previously carried out at St John's. These services were cut from St. John's nearly a year ago and now, for the first time, we are getting a full picture of what the loss means for the people of Livingston and West Lothian.

Since emergency surgery and trauma orthopaedics were moved, more patients have been travelling from West Lothian to Edinburgh. That means patients and families face longer journeys.

The pressure on services at the ERI is significantly increased and it is beginning to show. People in Livingston would rather have these services closer to home. That is why the SNP is calling for a long-term viable future for St. John's as an acute hospital, including the return of emergency surgery and trauma orthopaedics at the earliest practical opportunity.

People can make a difference for St John's in this by-election and can send a powerful message to Labour locally and nationally that centralisation to Edinburgh is not on.


Livingston SNP website