Moray MP Douglas Ross has slammed SNP health secretary Michael Matheson for refusing to meet with Save our Surgeries campaigners fighting to keep GP surgeries open in Burghead and Hopeman.
Douglas had raised the closure of the two surgeries during health portfolio questions in the Scottish Parliament where he asked the new health secretary to meet with campaigners, either in Moray or at Holyrood.
However, Michael Matheson refused to agree to such a meeting in response to Douglas, saying it was a matter for the local Information Joint Board.
Douglas says this is a total “dereliction of duty” from the health secretary and shows his “utter disregard” for rural and remote healthcare services.
Douglas joined with the campaigners in April as they protested outside the Moray Coast medical practice in Lossiemouth and says that they have “worked tirelessly” to bring forward “positive” solutions that would ensure a surgery could remain in the villages.
He says this response is a “slap in the face” for campaigners and he says he will continue to urge Michael Matheson to take responsibility for the SNP government’s failure to support local GP services.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “This response from SNP health secretary Michael Matheson was utterly disgraceful. I was particularly disappointed because I thought it was a perfectly reasonable request to have Scotland’s health secretary simply meet campaigners and listen to them.
“Members of Save our Surgeries in Hopeman and Burghead have been fighting tirelessly and have countered many of the arguments made for closing these surgeries.
“The fact the health secretary could not even bring himself to meet with the local campaigners is a total dereliction of duty. It reaffirms how the SNP government have a total disregard for our rural and remote services.
“It is a real slap in the face for campaigners who I was pleased to support during their protest last month and have continued to work with them as they seek a fair hearing on the future of their surgeries.
“Their campaigning has sent the strongest possible message to local decision makers. It is time for Michael Matheson to accept his responsibilities and stand up for the people in Hopeman and Burghead who deserve to be heard.
“The fact that we’re in this position in the first place is a direct result of the SNP’s failure to fund rural GP services, and recruit enough GPs to work in Moray.
“I will be continuing to fight for local GP services at every turn and urge Michael Matheson to think again and meet with Save our Surgeries as a matter of urgency.”
