Clyde independent scrutiny panel
In 2007 the Scottish Government set up an independent Panel to scrutinise proposals by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde for changes to future health services in the Clyde area, including services provided at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria and Johnstone Hospital.
The task of the Panel was to scrutinise revised service proposals for mental health services, unscheduled medical admissions, maternity services and continuing care of the elderly over some 5 separate locations across the Clyde estuary.
The aim of the scrutiny was to provide assurance that the proposals:
- were reasonable and necessary; in other words, was the board correct to conclude that there was no reasonable way to sustain the local delivery of services?
- were safe, sustainable, evidence-based and represented value for money
- were robust, patient-centred and consistent with clinical best practice and national policy
- had been prepared taking appropriate account of the views of individuals and communities affected, as assessed by the Scottish Health Council
- had considered all viable service options
In order to carry out its task the Panel had to:
- provide a clear, comprehensive and accessible commentary on the proposals in a form suitable for publication
- complete this work by the end of November 2007
Panel membership
The Panel was Chaired by Professor Angus Mackay, who has had a career of nearly 40 years with the Medical Research Council and the NHS, during which he has been continuously involved in the scientific appraisal of evidence in a wide variety of settings. Prof Mackay teaches at the University of Glasgow and has taught at the Universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh and St Andrews on neuropharmacology and psychiatry. He was previously Clinical Director of the MRC Neurochemical Pharmacology Unit, Cambridge, and served with distinction on numerous national health bodies including the Committee on the Safety of Medicines.
There were 3 other Panel members:
- Professor Peter Brunt, a retired consultant physician from Aberdeen and Vice-President of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh
- Stuart Fair, a senior consultant at the Institute of Public Finance Limited
- John Hanlon, the Independent Case Examiner for the Department of Work & Pensions, who was nominated by the Scottish Consumer Council
Panel process
The Panel started its work in September 2007 and met regularly to scrutinise the health board's proposals and other related information. Where necessary, the Panel sought additional expert advice to assist it in its work. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde provided the Panel with summary papers to outline its proposals.
The Scottish Health Council also prepared a report for the Panel to consider, which set out how the health board had involved the public in the process to date.
The Panel considered whether the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde had taken proper account of the views that were expressed by local people and communities when it was developing its proposals. Members of the public were invited to attend one of 3 public meetings held in Greenock, Paisley and Dumbarton during November 2007. They could also submit their views in writing for the Panel's consideration.
The final report was published in December 2007.
Supplementary report
The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing reconvened the Clyde Panel in January 2008. It was asked to consider, in particular, the issue of clinical safety in relation to Unscheduled Medical Admissions services at the Vale of Leven Hospital. The Panel published its supplementary report, setting out its views on these and other issues covered in its original report, in February 2008.