Ross expresses disappointment at Health Secretary’s refusal to meet
Moray MP Douglas Ross has expressed disappointment at Health Minister Jeane Freeman’s refusal to meet him to discuss ongoing problems with the health service in Moray.
Douglas said: “I wrote to Jeane Freeman several weeks ago seeking a meeting with her and the Acting Chief Executive of NHS Grampian as the number of local cases I get about NHS matters continues to grow. As MP, my role is first and foremost as a representative and I’m bitterly disappointed that the Scottish Health Minister has refused to meet with me to discuss serious concerns highlighted by the constituents I serve in Moray. I know SNP members at Holyrood have met with UK government ministers and I would have hoped that similar, cross-party, constructive meetings could have been possible with SNP Ministers and MPs. I have replied to the Health Minister asking her to reconsider her response so we can work together to address the concerns many people in Moray are raising with me.
“Moray remains short-changed on health provision and it is only direct intervention by senior ministers like Jeane Freeman which can put that right. I am due to meet the Acting Chief Executive soon but she does not have control over the purse-strings and until we see prioritisation of Moray’s needs we are going to continue to lag behind. I provided an opportunity for Jeane Freeman to spell out exactly what she was going to do for Moray and she has turned it down flat.”
Last week Douglas wrote to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon demanding that she intervene to save Moray Council from making devastating cuts in local services following the failure of Finance Minister Derek Mackay to respond to all-party pleas for help.
Douglas added: “This SNP Government already has an unenviable reputation for failing to deliver for the people of Moray and the North East. Jeane Freeman’s response indicates that they just don’t seem to care anymore.”
