SNP’s solution to NHS crisis could be delayed or cancelled

Responding to reports today indicating that the future of five delayed NHS treatment centres to deal with a backlog of operations will not be known until December, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“Under pressure from opposition parties to take action on the NHS, the SNP’s solution was to promise these national treatment centres to deliver operations and diagnostic procedures.

“Unfortunately these centres have been delayed and disrupted. If a decision over whether the centres will even go ahead will not be taken until the end of the year, then it seems pretty clear that the pledge of 40,000 extra appointments by 2026 is in tatters.

“That’s not good enough. I want to see these centres delivered in towns and cities which are too often forgotten by the SNP.

“On top of that, I want to see progress on commitments to advance the Edinburgh Eye Pavilion and on replacements for the Belford Hospital in Fort William and the Gilbert Bain Hospital in Shetland which were agreed with my party in the budget.

“Making sure people can get swift access to local care should be the top priority for every elected politician. That’s what you get with the Scottish Liberal Democrats. I don’t believe the SNP can say the same.”