The operation of two major hospitals in Scotland is at the centre of a political row after claims that they have �closed� to new admissions on almost 150 occasions in the last year.
The operation of two major hospitals in Scotland is at the centre of a political row after claims that they have "closed" to new admissions on almost 150 occasions in the last year.
The number of times Hairmyres and Wishaw General hospitals in Lanarkshire had to start redirecting medical and surgical patients increased from 110 in 2007, to 145 last year, according to figures obtained by a Labour MSP.
Dr Richard Simpson, Labour's health spokesman was provided with the details under freedom of information laws which showed a large increase at Hairmyres, and a small decrease in Wishaw.
Dr Simpson said he was worried about lack of investment affecting access to services. However, the Scottish Government hit back, pointing out Labour wanted to close the third A&E department in Lanarkshire - at Monklands Hospital in Airdrie - before losing the last election.
Dr Simpson said: "I am deeply concerned that the accident and emergency departments at Hairmyres and Wishaw Hospitals have been unable to admit patients on almost 150 separate occasions in the last year."
The Labour Party said a £100m investment package linked to the plan to downgrade Monklands had been shelved by the health board. However, NHS Lanarkshire said it was completely inaccurate to suggest the board had halted hospital investment.
Dr Barry Vallance, medical director for acute services in the region, said: "We are making significant progress in improving waiting times for outpatient, inpatient and day case appointments and treatment and continue to invest and develop in our frontline services."
When a hospital in Scotland becomes particularly busy staff can decide to send patients referred to them by GPs to alternative centres - a situation described as "closing".
However, NHS Lanarkshire emphasised that in this situation, patients who arrive at the A&E department are still seen and treated.
The figures obtained by Dr Simpson showed medical and surgical admissions were redirected from Hairmyres Hospital accident and emergency department on 58 different occasions between July 2006 and the end of June 2007. In the following twelve months it rose to 98.
For Wishaw General, calls were re-directed from A&E on 52 occasions between July 2006 and June 2007. The following year the figure had fallen to 47.
A spokesman for Nicola Sturgeon, Health Secretary, said: "If the Labour Party had had its way then this New Year the accident and emergency facility at Monklands Hospital would be closing. It was only the election of an SNP Government that halted Labour's scheme to scrap A&E at Monklands."
