Agreement in place over the "need" for A&E at Ayr Hospital after crunch talks

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Top brass at South Ayrshire Council and NHS Ayrshire & Arran have issued a joint statement on the future of the A&E department at Ayr Hospital.Representatives from the local authority met health chiefs on Tuesday, after widespread rumours the A&E was being primed for an overnight closure, followed by a complete shutdown in 2024.The rumours also claimed that A&E services would eventually be transferred to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock.The claims were previously denied by NHS Ayrshire & Arran chief executive, Claire Burden, although she did later concede that information from an “unfinished” operational options appraisal document - that “covers all the bases, including a worst case scenario” - may have leaked out.However, in the wake of Tuesday’s meeting, a joint statement was issued on behalf of Martin Dowey, Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Lesley Bowie, Chair of Ayrshire & Arran NHS Board, Claire Burden, Chief Executive and Dr Crawford McGuffie, Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive.The statement highlights the “need” for A&E at Ayr, saying it’s a “vital component” in what is part of a larger provision of healthcare in the region.It reads: “At this meeting the Chair, Chief Executive and Medical Director for NHS Ayrshire & Arran confirmed that, despite some severe workforce pressures, University Hospital Ayr will be a vital component in providing high quality services moving forward.The Ayrshire Live app is available to download now.Get all the local news in your area – plus features, football news and the latest on the coronavirus crisis – at your fingertips 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories while you can customise your page with the sections that matter to you.The