RUMBLES SET FOR PLASTIC SURGERY TALKS

5.00.00pm GMT Thu 4th Feb 2010

West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine MSP Mike Rumbles will hold talks with NHS Grampian tomorrow on controversial proposals to downsize Aberdeen's Plastic Surgery & Burns Unit by 40%.

Mr Rumbles was contacted earlier this month by consultants at the Unit who are opposed to the plans.

The unit undertakes complex reconstruction of cancer cases, trauma cases and burns as well as work in areas such as hand surgery, breast reconstruction, and head and neck surgery for patients in Grampian, Moray, Orkney, Shetland and Caithness.

Speaking ahead of the talks Mr Rumbles said:

"The consultants at the Plastic Surgery and Burns Unit have raised real and serious concerns with me over the impact that these proposals to downsize the unit by 40% would have on patient care.

"It is therefore of real concern that the consultants' views have been dismissed by NHS Grampian who are pressing ahead with these plans.

"I look forward to having the opportunity to discuss these matters with NHS Grampian tomorrow.

A parliamentary motion lodged by Mr Rumbles calling on NHS Grampian to revise the plans has received cross-party support from MSPs