Comment: Ongoing hospital concerns

The initial delays experienced by local residents were the worst of any hospital in Scotland and even after the Scottish Government was forced to send in a team of trouble shooters, they have yet to reach the waiting times target.

There are still many issues over access and transport for both staff and patients to be resolved.

But the immediate priority must be to have an Accident and Emergency unit that can cope with the demands of people living across East Renfrewshire and the southside of Glasgow.

I am determined the cabinet secretary for health does not take her eye off the ball over the parliamentary recess and have asked her how she intends to keep us updated on the improvements we are demanding.

Local residents are anxious enough about getting to and from the new hospital without worrying about waiting 
more than four hours for emergency treatment once they get there.

This is the hospital we are going to rely on from now on and it is essential the Scottish Government 
give the clinicians the resources they need to operate the service we all want.

Many parents might have shared the mixed emotions we felt in our household this week with the break up of schools for the summer.

With one son leaving primary for high school and our youngest daughter leaving nursery, we were torn between the sadness of seeing your kids grow up so fast and the excitement and anticipation of what lies ahead.

Despite working in a ‘family friendly’ parliament, I was also reminded that politics is not a particularly family friendly business.

The timetable for the Labour leadership election kicks off this week with a series of debates, but does not conclude until August 15 — two days after the schools go back!

What was more encouraging, however, is that the Labour Party accepted proposals to open up the voting to non-members.

In other words, if you agree with my vision of a more positive, forward looking Labour Party, with broader appeal, one where we are less partisan and more willing to work constructively with others to build a better Scotland, you can register your support for my candidacy too.

Enjoy the summer holidays — Ken Macintosh, Eastwood MSP.