Health chiefs blasted over injuries unit

LOTHIANS Labour MSP Neil Findlay hit out at health chiefs after it was revealed the proposed centre of excellence for sports injuries at St John's Hospital in Livingston is to be delayed until 2015.

The centre, with a focus on knee injuries, was due to open earlier this year, but will now have to wait four years until it acquires a state-of-the-art MRI scanner needed in order to become the centre of excellence that was envisaged.

Mr Findlay said: "Why say that you intend to open a centre for excellence at St John's when there was obvious dubiety in the first place? Why do we have to wait four years for a scanner? This seems far too long.

"Questions need asked and I intend to ask them in Parliament. NHS Lothian should demonstrate its commitment to St John's with investment in this centre. Doing so will give confidence that NHS Lothian is committed to the long-term future of the hospital."