This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Executive set to buy HCI at Clydebank
20/06/2002
The Executive has today announced that it is in advanced
negotiations to buy the HCI hospital in Clydebank for the
use of NHS patients.
Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm confirmed to Parliament
that a price of £37.5 million had been agreed with the
owners of the hospital and that, subject to due diligence,
the Executive expected to take possession of the hospital
for the NHS shortly.
The Minister also set out plans to transform the HCI
facility into a National Waiting Times Centre to work
alongside local NHS Boards to cut unacceptable waiting
times across the country.
This radical new initiative would, he said, be a good
deal for patients, taxpayers, the Clydebank economy, and
the NHS. It is expected that the new national centre will
carry out some 5,000 procedures for patients with long
waits in the first year of operation - double its present
private sector capacity.
The Executive will also be looking at how to maximise
the potential use of the 60,000 square metre facility - for
example in easing NHS winter pressures and as a 'proving
ground' for healthcare innovation.
Mr Chisholm said:
"Earlier this year we were approached by the Abu Dhabi
Investment Company - the owners of the private HCI
hospital. Despite the hospital's world-class facilities,
the original intention for the hospital has not been
commercially realised and its current owners do not wish to
continue the business. Quite simply, without a change of
ownership and direction the hospital would face
closure.
"Clearly the loss of this facility would be a major blow
to the local economy of Clydebank and surrounding areas. It
would also put the jobs of many healthcare professionals in
jeopardy. And, it could potentially remove a valuable
source of additional capacity for the NHS.
"I can announce to Parliament today that we have entered
into detailed negotiations to purchase the entire HCI
hospital facility for the National Health Service in
Scotland.
"This pragmatic decision has been taken to step up
investment and reform, to support patient care, and to
protect Scottish jobs. It is not an attack on the private
sector. As we have consistently stated, the private sector
has been, and will continue to be, a partner for the NHS in
delivering patient care. Buying the hospital is about
saving services for Scotland, and opening up new
opportunities for the development of patient care in the
NHS.
"We propose to transform the HCI facility into
Scotland's National Waiting Times Centre. We plan to use
its world-class facilities to help drive down waiting
times. Not just for one part of the country - but for all
parts of the country. Particularly targeting those waiting
the longest for treatment.
"An early initiative will involve HCI working closely
with cardiac centres across Scotland to ensure that cardiac
surgery waiting times continue to show very significant
reductions.
"The Centre will also focus its resources on red ucing
maximum waiting times for hip and knee replacement,
cataract surgery, general surgery, plastic surgery and
diagnostics.
"As well as the additional activity in elective surgery,
we will also use the diagnostic capacity available within
the facility to complement local action plans to reduce
waiting times - for example through the use of the
extensive endoscopy and investigative facilities.
"Last year HCI carried out some 2,500 procedures for
patients. It is our intention to double this figure to
5,000 within the first year of operation for the NHS.
"Working alongside and complementing existing NHS
services, the Centre will help us to sustain Scotland's
waiting times performance at the head of the UK league
table. But, of course, acquiring such a high quality asset
comes at a price.
"I can confirm today that, subject to the finalisation
of some details, we will acquire the whole of this
facility, including:
- A fully functioning 52-bed acute elective
facility
- Six functioning operating theatres
- MRI and CT scanning
- an on-site hotel for patients and relatives
- space for expansion
"Today I can confirm to Parliament that we have agreed a
price of £37.5 million for the land, building and its
equipment - subject to the completion of the necessary due
diligence. The cost of building a 60,000 square metre
hospital including equipment at today's prices would be
four or five times as much.
"We have tested the financial case for this investment
and it represents exceptional value for money for the NHS.
In addition to the world-class facilities we will also be
looking to retain the services of the highly skilled staff
working within the HCI facility - including around 10
consultant doctors and over 100 nurses. I want to send a
strong message to those staff today that we want them to
join - and in many cases to rejoin - the NHS family.
"I want to take this opportunity to make absolutely
clear that we see the proposed purchase of the HCI facility
in a national - rather than a west of Scotland -
context.
"The purchase of the HCI facility for the NHS will not
be a factor in Greater Glasgow's review of acute health
services for the city. And similarly, it will be for those
running the NHS in Argyll and Clyde, in partnership with
local people, to decide the best structure for the delivery
of acute health services in their future local plans.
"On completion of a deal, it is our intention to create
a Special Health Board meantime to ensure proper management
and accountability for the facility. Interim management
arrangements and a project management team will also be put
in place as soon as a deal is completed to oversee the
transformation from a private hospital to a national NHS
resource.
"Our vision for the long-term development of the HCI
facility does not end here. The purchase of the HCI
facility gives us scope and potential for developments in a
range of other areas in addition to reducing waiting
times.
"For example, the spare capacity within the facility
will be an invaluable additional safety net for the NHS in
terms of planning and preparing for winter pressures. And,
alongside a range of health organisations that already rent
space within the facility, including our own NHS24's west
of Scotland call centre, we will be exploring the scope for
other health projects using the facility as a hi-tech
'proving ground' for new and innovative ways of
working.
"But reducing maximum waiting times is the driving force
for our national efforts and the new Centre at Clydebank
will be in the vanguard of that effort. It will be an
exemplar facility that the people of Scotland can be proud
of.
"The facility will also require a new name - one in
keeping with its new role as a truly national asset. We
will be seeking the input of staff and the public on this
over the coming weeks before a final name is chosen.
"This is a hugely important development for the NHS -
and for patients in Scotland. I am convinced that it will
be warmly welcomed - not just for the obvious economic
benefits in Clydebank and the surrounding area - but right
across the country and throughout this chamber
"This is a good deal for the NHS. A good deal for the
taxpayer. A good deal for all the members of the healthcare
team at HCI whose jobs were under threat.
"This is a deal that will help to keep us at the
forefront of waiting times performance in the UK. Above
all, it is a great deal for patients and for Scotland."