"We will be transported to hospital in a council lorry."

by DOUG COLLIE

The planned merger between Scottish Borders Council and NHS Borders which would allow a single public authority to run local government and health services has been roundly condemned by local residents within hours of the idea being voted through by councillors.

Our trawl of social media sites across the region failed to find one contributor in favour of the idea which has been criticised as a power grab by the cash-strapped local authority.

If public feelings are anything to go by the proposal will receive little support in communities whose citizens are the clients of health care and the dwindling range of services on offer from SBC. Yet it is claimed the concept would aim to increase community involvement.

But there also seems to be a feeling that widespread opposition against the amalgamation will simply be ignored and swept aside. A number of the social media posters have panned councillors for failing to consult them before sanctioning the plan at a meeting of SBC yesterday (Tuesday).

One comment on the Border Telegraph newspaper's Facebook page read: "We will be transported to hospital in a council lorry".

Here we reproduce just some of the views expressed so far on the Telegraph and Southern Reporter Facebook sites:

Lindsey McPhillips - This makes no sense ! Two authorities, both struggling with funding, both hopelessly incompetent, neither fit for purpose want to merge ? Surely this can only double the problems? Andy Fox - One authority will be stripped bare and it won’t be the council.

Ian Simpson - Power grab but bizarre , it was always speculated that NHS Borders would merge , but with Lothian. But where is the logic in joining up with a Local Authority ...has the Scottish Government been asleep at the wheel? Janie Clark - The public are always encouraged to provide input, as long as they understand it's ultimately futile and will be completely disregarded.

Marc Dawson - There’s a recipe for disaster. SBC couldn’t organise the proverbial in a brewery and Borders NHS is floundering like a drunk in a gale. I just can’t decide if it’s funny or tragic. Glen Donnelly - NHS will go downhill even more. It’s bad enough to get appointments at doctors and council not much better either.

Robert Potts - That's NHS Borders in big trouble if that lot take over, more bums on seats,new offices,less boots on the ground,end of public service. Drew Glendinning - Well you can bet your last pound that certain families will get preferential treatment that’s for sure.

Tony Brown - Not a good idea. Sorry. It won’t work. Gibby Findlater - That’s health board knackered now then Cathy Green - Imagine training as a doctor or nurse or any hospital health professional to end up working for the local council!

Marion Black - Dreadful idea. Will end up with more so called managers and pen pushers and not what is really needed ie more staff on the wards for patient care. James Murphy - SBC can’t even control and maintain a basic grass cutting schedule yet we are going to let them run the health service? There should be a page dedicated against this proposal. I’m not sure the limit of likes a page is allowed but I’d expect it would be very close to exceeding it that’s for sure!! Complete disaster waiting to happen!!!!! Billy Reid - It’s a disaster waiting to happen. SBC can’t even look after their own affairs.

Stevie Campbell - This is lunacy. If this goes through it will be one of the biggest mistakes for generations to come. SBC should have no financial ties to an NHS body. Allan Leishman -There will be a lot of employees panicking big time. After all if they merge they won't need 2 HR depts, 2 finance dept's, 2 IT dept's etc. Although knowing how NHS Borders is run they'll probably hire more managers when/if they merge. Or get rid of the good managers and keep the useless ones. God help us all.

David Maxwell - This is nothing but a joke and disaster waiting to happen. Carol Gibson - Bad move. Michael Brownlee - Tory nonsense again. What will be next? Jeanette Porterfield - God help us. Neil Scott - That’s what happens when idiots vote Tory. Ryan Mathew Whellans - Disgrace there should be a public consultation.

Lynda Parks - Bloody ridiculous! It's all right for them in their ivory towers drawing up these plans, but they have no idea how it will affect the public. What may look good on paper, doesn't always follow through in practice. What about consulting us?!!

Brian Gibbins - There is some big long corridores at BGH to hang there tapestry in now if they merge  Janis Slorance - That's your Tories for you, insanity rules .Alex Chalmers - Another decision made behind closed doors. Margaret Niven - Will this give them an excuse to pry into medical history to find out more about people before they make more absurd decisions..

Ged Hogg - This should be a decision made by the public. Having seen the mess that SBC are currently in the mind boggles as to how this act of lunacy is going to end up. SBC have shown that they are not fit for purpose, the state of our region's infrastructure bears testament to that fact. I honestly fear for the future of NHS Borders and the associated services and finances if they climb in to bed with SBC.

Irene Hutchison - Blooming hell.This a disaster waiting to happen.Why can't they listen to electorate who voted these people in.It's all right for them they will probably have private health care. Brian Crawford - Shocking. Borders council can’t sort themselves out now want to try NHS. It’s a bloody joke me thinks. 

Steven Oliver -What else do you expect from a Tory council?  Alasdair Mackay - How long will it take our amazing council to shut down all the local health centres? While claiming that centralising all services at Melrose will benefit everyone! Brian Edgar - The idiots trying to take over the asylum.  Martin Fairbairn - Next is the sell off of the NHS to the Americans. Tories sell everything. They know the price of everything and the value of nothing.