Public, a patient and carer representatives involved in developing the interim (phase one) trauma and orthopaedics (T&O) service changes received an update on the plans at a special stakeholder event.

Members of North and South Lanarkshire Public Partnership Forums, South Lanarkshire Carers Network, Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire, Voluntary Action South Lanarkshire, the North Lanarkshire Disability Access Panel and a trauma and orthopaedics patient, were given the update at a meeting at Kirklands HQ following their involvement in events in 2014 and 2015 that mapped out the interim changes.

South Lanarkshire PPF chair Margaret Moncrieff said: “It was a very good meeting and there was a lot of detail given about what’s happening.

“It gave me a better understanding on why NHS Lanarkshire is taking these steps.

“I was already familiar with the changes, but it’s much clearer to me now and I’m supportive of the changes.”

This was echoed by North Lanarkshire PPF representative Pat Reilly, who said: “When you hear the views of the expert bodies who also support this, you can understand why these changes are necessary.”

Bill Angus, a PPF rep from Clydesdale, told how he found the meeting very helpful although he still has some questions about the long-term plan.

Bill said: “The consultation process will give me the opportunity to find out more and ask some questions about the second phase of the proposed changes.”

Sarah Jane Allen, from the North Lanarkshire Disability Access Panel, said: “I found the event very helpful indeed.

“I had some concerns about this beforehand, as do some of the members of my group, but the event gave me the opportunity to clarify some things.

“I’m also delighted that a representative from NHS Lanarkshire will attend my group to answer some of the quite specific questions that our group has in relation to this.”