Health chiefs were told to consider the “cost to the community” of long waiting times and the ongoing struggle to recruit staff during a charged question and answer session yesterday.
About 50 members of the public were joined by local politicians and journalists as they quizzed the embattled NHS Grampian board on topics ranging from hospital cleanliness to the treatment of chronic conditions.
Scottish health secretary Shona Robison was also in attendance for the annual review meeting.
Elaine Brown, a pensioner from Aberdeen, asked how the board would tackle “unacceptable” waiting times for certain conditions.
She said she had heard of people with rheumatoid arthritis waiting up to 50 weeks for treatment after being diagnosed, adding that the costs were also felt by families and friends.
Malcolm Wright, chief executive of NHS Grampian, said he was aware that delays affected patients and their loved ones, but insisted action was being taken.
“There are a number of areas where we’ve made real progress and a number of areas where more progress could be made,” he said.
“This is related to the financial position the board is in. With the extra funds we should be able to make more progress on this.”
Speaking after the event Mrs Brown said she was “hopeful” that the extra funds would help reduce waiting times.
She said: “The point I was trying to make was that these conditions don’t just affect one person – they carry a huge cost to family, friends and the whole community.
“I hope when they make their decisions they think about the people behind the numbers.”
Former care worker Pat Tumarth, 70, from the Cove area of the city raised the issue of standards in nursing homes, saying she had been told she was “too nice” to work in the field.
She said: “I worked in the care sector and some of the stuff I witnessed was unspeakable.
“There would be nurses in the staff room howling with laughter while someone died next door.
“I was so upset before I went to my work because I was witnessing such horrible things. The attitude of the staff needs to change.”
The health secretary said new legislation would include a “duty of candour”, which would require staff to blow the whistle on bad practice in the care sector.
Speaking afterwards Ms Tumarth said her experiences dated back to when she worked in care homes about 10 years ago.
“Whistleblowers need more support, the good nurses are scared to speak out,” she added.
“Hopefully this new legislation will help.”