Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has said he is disappointed that his request for senior Scottish Government ministers to meet with local hospital campaigners has been ignored by Humza Yousaf.
During First Minister’s Questions in Parliament today, the Scottish Conservative MSP asked the First Minister if he would meet with campaigners in Portree and hear first-hand their frustrations regarding failures to meet the recommendation of the Ritchie review.
Mr Halcro Johnston asked the following question:
"Last Saturday, campaigners in Portree were protesting failures in delivering on the recommendations of the Ritchie report on Out of Hours Services in Skye, Lochalsh and South West Ross. They are calling, as a priority, for 24/7 urgent care to be restored at Portree Hospital and the beds that have been lost there to be reinstated.
"So while recognising that it is NHS Highland that has been unable to deliver on those recommendations, can I ask the First Minister, whether he – or his health secretary – will agree to meet with campaigners in Portree and hear first-hand their frustrations – and their concerns – over what these ongoing delays in restoring services means for families and communities in North Skye? And how his Government will can help to ensure these recommendations are delivered?"
Appearing frustrated by the question, Mr Yousaf would not commit himself or the Health Secretary, Neil Gray, to a meeting, instead suggesting NHS Highland had received additional funding.
Following FMQs, Mr Halcro Johnston said:
"I am disappointed that, having asked him a serious question – one of real concern to my constituents on Skye, Humza Yousaf’s first instinct was to desperately deflect and attempt to score political points.
"It is depressing that, rather than address the situation – one he is aware of and one I raised with him last year when he was Health Secretary, he chose such an unhelpful and defensive response.
"His refusal to commit either himself or his health secretary to meeting with campaigners in Portree – even if done remotely – is extremely disappointing.
"Surely someone in the Scottish Government could find time to listen to the concerns of local people on Skye faced with delays in restoring the services many rely on.
"Too many of our rural health services have been lost or are under real pressure. That has a real impact on local people and on local communities, especially on some of our most vulnerable residents.
"Unfortunately, it appears the government in Edinburgh just isn’t that interested in listening".
ENDS
Notes to editor
Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP’s question to the First Minister is available here: https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meeting-of-the-parliament-april-25-2024?clip_start=12:22:30&clip_end=12:24:09
Subscribe to Jamie Halcro Johnston MSP's monthly newsletter here.
