Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has called on the incoming Health Secretary to take urgent action on the restoration of 24/7 urgent care services at Portree Hospital.
With current Cabinet Secretary for Health Humza Yousaf expected to be elected First Minister tomorrow (Tuesday), Mr Halcro Johnston said Mr Yousaf’s choice to replace him must deliver on the promises made to the local communities and restore their services.
Mr Halcro Johnston said he would be keeping pressure on the Scottish Government to address the ongoing concerns surrounding the provision of healthcare in the region, including delivering a new hospital in Fort William.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: "Residents of North Skye have endured reduced healthcare services for too long, with the absence of 24/7 cover at Portree Hospital putting lives at risk and causing unnecessary concern for many local families.
"While Humza Yousaf’s own record as Health Secretary was poor, it is vital that whoever he chooses to replace him recognises the importance of ensuring that our rural and island communities have access to reliable and local services, and that the increasing centralisation of services is reversed.
“That means taking immediate action to address the issues at Portree Hospital, including solving the recruitment and retention issues facing healthcare professionals across the region, and also making progress on the long promised new Belford Hospital.
“Whoever Humza Yousaf appoints to replace him as Health Secretary, their job will only be the more challenging because of the mess and broken promises Mr Yousaf himself has left”.
