Ross welcomes UK Government investment in the NHS and insists Moray must see its share
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray, Douglas Ross, has welcomed the UK government's decision to invest an extra £20 billion in the NHS.
The deal will mean the Scottish Government will receive a £2bn windfall to support health care in Scotland and the Moray MP is demanding that Nicola Sturgeon make it clear that every penny of the extra funding goes to health care in Scotland.
Today's announcement by Prime Minister Theresa May means across the UK, the NHS will see an annual increase of 3.4% guaranteed until 2023.
Based on current plans, this announcement will provide the Scottish Government with additional Barnett funding worth £2bn in real terms by 2023/24. Commenting Douglas said:
“In the seventieth year of the NHS this is a significant funding boost by the UK government which will see investment in health services across the UK. The Prime Minister has made this a key priority and now we need the SNP Scottish Government to commit to spending all the extra money they get from the UK government on our health service in Scotland.
“Many of the cases I deal with on a daily basis on behalf of local people in Moray involve the NHS. While everyone is very supportive of our hardworking staff in the NHS, Grampian health board which covers Moray is one of the lowest funded in the whole of Scotland. Too often Moray patients have to travel significant distances, or face unacceptable waits for treatment.
“We need more services delivered locally here in Moray, but that needs a commitment from the Scottish government. I urge the Scottish Government to ensure the £2 billion extra coming to Scotland is spent on our NHS so we can see the improvements in care Moray patients have every right to expect.”