PRESS RELEASE
December 3rd, 2009

End uncertainty

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan has called for health secretary Nicola Sturgeon to end the uncertainty over the League of Friends tea bar at the Inverclyde Royal.

The volunteer-run service was threatened by an NHS-own brand café bar until public pressure forced the health board to reconsider.

The result of six-month trial period for the café bar was due to be announced in October but so far volunteers have been left frustrated by the lack of information from health secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

The MSP quizzed quiz the cabinet secretary in Parliament this week and demanded she lifts the threat to the tea bar.

He was disappointed to hear that the verdict would have to wait for another month.

Duncan McNeil, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, said: “We have a situation here where hard-working volunteers have had the axe hanging over them since April and still we have no word from the health secretary Nicola Sturgeon.

“The uncertainty over these plans has went on for too long now and I am disappointed this has been kicked into the long grass again for at least another month.

“This is no way to treat volunteers who provide a popular service to the community and have raised thousands of pounds for good causes.

“While I pleased the Health Secretary insisted there will be a choice to retain the tea bar even if the Aroma Café scheme is deemed a success, I am concerned that the health board will seek to impose a one size fits all approach at the expense of the League of Friends.”