Politics: NHS funding will provide vital lifeline for communities

The recent announcement of £30 million in NHS funding by the Scottish Government is more than just a financial boost—it’s a necessary lifeline for Banffshire and Buchan Coast, writes MSP Karen Adam.

Where our close-knit communities have long thrived on resilience and mutual support, it is important to recognise that reliable healthcare is more than just good to have, it is vital to the running of our communities as a whole and a fundamental right for our citizens to live comfortable and happy lives.

I know all too well the challenges our community faces, and I am grateful for all of you who contact me with issues and comments to keep me updated on how it is affecting you. Your feedback is essential for me to advocate appropriately.

Our healthcare system, despite the dedication of our NHS staff, has been stretched thin. These last few years of Covid recovery and labour shortages due to Brexit have been incredibly hard, with residents facing long waits for essential treatments and services.

Issues such as the closure of Minor Injury Units overnight and the reduction in vital speech and language therapy services by Aberdeenshire Council haven’t helped but in fact, have added pressure elsewhere and hit our most vulnerable residents the hardest.

This new funding from the Scottish Government, aimed at reducing NHS waiting times, is a direct response to local community challenges across Scotland.

It promises to deliver 12,000 additional procedures, 40,000 extra diagnostic tests, and 12,000 new outpatient appointments across Scotland.

For our community, this means timelier access to the care we need - whether it’s a diagnostic test that could provide early intervention or an outpatient appointment that prevents a minor issue from becoming a major health crisis.

I’ve fought hard to ensure that the voices of Banffshire and Buchan Coast are heard not just at Holyrood but across the different spheres of government from council to Westminster.

I’ve shared stories of local families who have struggled with delayed treatments and advocated for the kind of robust public services that our community deserves.

This funding is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together, but it’s also a reminder of the work still to be done.

Beyond the numbers, this investment is about people - about the elderly woman in Buckie who’s been waiting months for a knee replacement, the young child in Banff needing speech therapy, and the fisherman from Macduff who’s put off going to the doctor because he fears a long wait which would be detrimental to his livelihood.

These are the people we should think of when we sit in meetings, or when we stand up to speak in Parliament. Their stories certainly fuel my commitment to fight for better healthcare services.

With this funding, we are not just catching up - we are building a stronger, more resilient healthcare system for the future. One where our children and grandchildren won’t face the same hurdles we have.

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with a local primary care healthcare provider to discuss the specific needs of our community.

It is vital that we all work collaboratively to provide care fit for purpose. I will continue to advocate for much-needed services and of course funding and resources from all potential streams.

A sensible immigration policy by the UK Government to fill vacant roles to help alleviate services while ongoing work to provide training is an essential aspect of this work to build capacity, additionally, our local authority must prioritise healthcare in its budget decisions.

These are complex issues, but with continued effort and community support, I am confident we can make meaningful progress.

I encourage you to share your experiences with me so that I can bring them directly to the decision-makers.

Your voices shape my work, and together, we can ensure that Banffshire and Buchan Coast remain not just places to live, but places to thrive.