Dumfries hospital debate suppression claims dismissed

NHS Dumfries and Galloway has dismissed claims that it suppressed staff dissent and discussion of a new hospital plan.

Retired public health consultant Dr John Womersley said people had been misled in the decision-making process.

He argued that an exemption could have been sought to the single rooms only structure being adopted at the £200m project in Dumfries.

NHS Chief Executive Jeff Ace said the claim was "nonsense" and all decisions had been fully transparent.

Dr Womersley said he was not convinced by the case for single rooms throughout the hospital.

"I have been concerned about quite a few things to do with this particular health board, to do with the way that it responds to complaints and suggestions from the public and the way it puts out information," he said.

"For example, it made it evident to its own staff and the public that the new hospital was to be 100% single rooms because the government was insisting on it."

Single rooms - a good idea?

Eleanor Bradford, BBC Scotland health correspondent

I have visited hospitals many times and have seen how, particularly in rural hospitals, there can be a great sense of camaraderie amongst patients who share the same ward for a few days.

I've also been an NHS patient myself and, I have to say, was grateful for the privacy of a private room.

The debate over the pros and cons of private rooms is raging, but research carried out in a hospital in England provides some interesting answers.

Read more from Eleanor here.

However, he said that was not the case and an exemption could have been sought.

He claimed that the subject had not been properly discussed.

Mr Ace insisted there had been a "good debate" on the subject.

"It was one of the things that was discussed most vigorously when we were looking at whether we were to make a case for an exemption," he said.

"There is no consensus on single rooms and you could say that amongst the public and amongst staff.

"The board has made the decision on the basis of the best evidence we have got and submitted the business case accordingly."