Buckie MSP seeks views on rural healthcare ahead of Scottish Parliament debate
An MSP is seeking the views of local people on healthcare ahead of a debate in the Scottish Parliament.
Buckie-based Highlands and Islands MSP Tim Eagle, who was recently appointed Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, is sponsoring a Rural Healthcare debate on Tuesday, October 30 and is urging people to share their experiences and concerns with him so that they can inform the discussion.
He will be urging the SNP government to fulfil its promises of completing upgrades to Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin while building new hospitals in Fort William, Barra and Aberdeen.
Mr Eagle, himself married to a local rural GP, said: “I have had lots of discussions and feedback from healthcare professionals about the challenges they face in delivering a healthcare service in often challenging circumstances.
“But I also want to hear directly from people who have been at the receiving end, either for themselves or for family and friends.
“We need to hear personal stories, and not just debate statistics. How do you feel about what happened? How has if affected you, or a loved one? What was good? What could have been better?
“There are, of course, some issues which I’m sure will be debated. These include: downgraded maternity services in places like Moray and Caithness; the campaign for a dialysis unit in Oban; significant funding gaps in the Western Isles; problems accessing GPs; and delays in operations. But there are many more issues that could usefully be raised.
“This debate, I hope, will not just be about highlighting problems. It should also be about finding solutions and changing priorities. It’s about making sure decision-makers understand that the needs of rural Scotland are not necessarily the same as the Central Belt.
“I very much hope that anyone in the Highlands and Islands or, indeed, from anywhere else in rural Scotland, who feels strongly about this, or has an experience to share, will drop me a line ahead of the debate on the 30th. I can promise that all contributions will be read and considered.”
Anyone wishing to share their views with Mr Eagle can do so by emailing tim.eagle.msp@parliament.scot
The debate will be broadcast at 5pm on October 30 on https://scottishparliament.tv/
