We deplore Lawson bed cuts

Sir – The League of Friends of the Lawson Memorial Hospital deplores the reduction of beds at the Lawson Memorial Hospital, without prior notification.

We only received a letter on June 6 advising us that the beds were to be removed that very day.

While we appreciate there are budgetary constraints and essential regulations to be addressed urgently throughout NHS Highland, we do feel very strongly that a "bombshell" was dropped on us all without warning; thus creating anxiety and ill feeling amongst the communities in Sutherland.

This is not the way forward to bolster support or confidence in a rapidly changing "provision of care" situation. The provision consultation, including care in the community, is in its infancy and transparency at all levels of consultation will be essential to engage confidence of service users and communities at large.

The Lawson Hospital is a jewel in east Sutherland’s crown, receiving well deserved high accolades for its superlative levels of professional care.

We must do everything to keep it safe in the knowledge that vital services within our hospital will be retained – Lawson Memorial Hospital League of Friends: Sandra Peterkin (Chair); Kathleen Cunningham (Vice Chair); Ishbel Clarkson (Secretary); Brenda MacMillan (Treasurer).

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