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 | | Friday, 14 December, 2001, 21:02 GMT Stobhill staff threaten to quit  Campaigners say they are not being listened to The prospect of a new mental unit within the grounds of Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow is looming, despite strong opposition from nearby residents. At a meeting on Friday Stobhill emerged as the preferred site for the medium-secure unit. However, Fiona Johnston, a representative of medical staff at the hospital has warned many will resign because the unit could threaten the expansion of other wards. About 30 demonstrators staged a picket outside Parkhead football stadium, where the final public meeting on the matter was being held.
Last year Greater Glasgow Health Board initially decided to site the controversial facility at Stobhill Hospital, in the north of Glasgow. But that was judged to be flawed and a consultation process began. The event on Friday was the last of three public meetings, designed to involve local people, and other interested parties, in the final decision. An earlier decision by the health board to build the unit at Stobhill was vigorously opposed by local people, and an inquiry found that two other sites were more appropriate. Residents were joined by two MSPs and three local councillors as they boycotted the Parkhead meeting. They argued that the board used the consultation process as a smokescreen to reach the same decision. Scotland desperately needs more medium-secure facilities - some 40 patients are currently held in Carstairs despite the fact they do not need such a high level of security. Others are in the psychiatric wards of hospitals. The proposed unit would have cost around �12.5m and have a total of 76 beds. | |
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