Former director slams London-based bosses for threatening to abandon thousands of service users
A leading charity is abandoning Scotland because of "arrogance and prejudice", it has been claimed.
Asthma UK announced this week it was to consult on centralising operations in London, jeopardising services to the hundreds of thousands of Scots who struggle daily with the respiratory disease.
However its former national director, who quit because of London interference, claimed the move is inspired by a “shocking arrogance” and an inability to grasp issues north of the border, with English-based bosses thinking Scots don’t know how to lobby, campaign or communicate.
Shona Haslam (pictured) told TFN she resigned in May after years of being ordered what to do by bosses who knew nothing about Scottish politics or how devolution worked.
Her 11-year-tenure at the organisation became “virtually impossible” as London bosses made decisions on Scotland’s behalf, overruling and undermining years spent lobbying and building relationships with politicians as well as developing vital life-saving services.
Now she believes 370,000 Scots with asthma, 72,000 of whom are children, will be left to fend for themselves without an effective campaigning organisation to support them.
She said: “Management (in England) think they know best and don’t listen to what’s happening in Scotland.
“It’s not so much they don’t understand devolution or how politics work north of the border; they don’t actually want to know. They believe Westminster is the pinnacle of politics and we should learn from them. They just totally miss the point.”
A gradual chipping away of these services and resources has meant Asthma UK Scotland’s staff has dwindled from seven to just two with little hope the remaining staff will be saved.
As a result vital services built up over years are also at risk of being ditched, said Haslam.
“It’s practically a done deal,” said Haslam. “I’d be very, very surprised if the Scottish office isn't closed.
“Losing the Scottish arm is a big worry for the people in the country who have what is often a life-limiting condition.
“There’s a lot of crucial work done on advocacy and education, for example. People would come to us and ask for basic information – they wanted someone to talk to, someone who knows services in their area. It’s ridiculous.”
It’s not so much they don’t understand devolution or how politics work north of the border; they don’t actually want to know. They believe Westminster is the pinnacle of politics and we should learn from them.
Ken MacIntosh MSP, deputy convener of the cross party group on asthma, said he had written to Asthma UK’s chief executive asking the charity to reconsider.
He added: “With health policy fully devolved to the Scottish Parliament, it is important that we do not lose the expertise and support that Asthma UK Scotland’s staff and volunteers bring.
“I know from personal experience of the Cross Party Group on Asthma, how helpful it has been to have had the expert advice and assistance of Asthma UK’s Scottish staff.
“I have now laid a motion before the Scottish Parliament to draw political attention to this decision and to see if there is anything we can do before the proposal goes ahead.”
Dan Murphy, director of external affairs of Asthma UK, said: “Asthma UK is still undergoing a period of internal consultation on this proposal.
“Whatever the outcome of the consultation, Asthma UK will continue to invest in advocacy programmes in Scotland and continue to support people with asthma in Scotland.
“We are not the only charity faced with delivering services and support with limited funds in tough and challenging economic times, so in order to ensure we are delivering the best value for our donors we are reviewing the most cost effective way to continue our work across the UK.
“I cannot stress enough that this is merely a proposal at this stage and no final decision has been made.”
It comes as RNIB this week confirmed to staff their contracts would be transferred to an English-based subsidiary, Action for Blind People.
Last month the charity sparked controversy after announcing the move.
Despite assurances no redundancies will take place in the near future, many staff remain concerned the restructure will affect their employment in the longer term.
Ian Welsh, chief executive of the Health and Social Care Alliance, the body representing many health charities in Scotland, warned against closing the Scottish office of health charities.
He said progress in health policy that has come through devolution, such as the focus on self-management and early intervention, "requires Scottish-based organisations which are alert to the jurisdictional differences and policy nuances of the Scottish health and social care landscape.
“I hope it is not too late for the UK trustees of these organisations to take a different view.”
