Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott challenged the First Minister to explain why his Government is spending £1.2 million on Patient Rights Officers, while cash-strapped health boards have to cut nursing posts.

Commenting after the First Minister refused, once again, to answer the question or change his priorities, Mr Scott said:

“As Health Boards are cutting nurses across Scotland, this SNP Government is putting over a million pounds into Patients Rights Officers for a Bill with no rights.

“When medical staff are cut, patients will worry that they can’t see a doctor or a nurse, not whether they can meet a government bureaucrat.

“The First Minister failed to show leadership today by refusing to put that million pounds into the health budget to treat patients.

“The SNP is standing health priorities on their head.”