Moray MP Douglas Ross has paid tribute to “tireless” Save our Surgeries campaigners who have “worked their socks off” after leading a debate in the Scottish Parliament.
Douglas brought a debate surrounding the ongoing campaign to re-open Burghead and Hopeman surgeries to Holyrood in order to make their voices heard at the highest level.
He thanked campaigners who had travelled to hear the debate – Dennis Slater, Rhona Grant, Hazel Grant, Syaneess Tungall and Liz McKnockiter – to try and re-open these “vital” healthcare facilities in his Moray constituency.
Douglas slammed the decision-making behind the closure of the surgeries, saying it had been a “sham” and amounted to a “tick-box exercise”, given 85% of residents who responded to the consultation said they wanted them to remain open.
He added that he has been pleased that the campaign has been supported on a cross-party basis and said now the “positive words” from new SNP health secretary Neil Gray – who also met with campaigners afterwards – must now be backed up by “realistic” plans to re-open surgeries in the villages.
Douglas concluded his speech by highlighting “eye-opening” research highlighting that 44% of people in Moray have to wait a week or more for GP appointment – almost double the national average.
Moray MP Douglas Ross said: “I was delighted to have the chance to bring the Save our Surgeries campaign – as well as welcoming those behind it – to the Scottish Parliament.
“They have worked their socks off in fighting against the closure of their local surgeries and everyone across Moray is incredibly proud of their tireless efforts.
“These facilities are vital for people living in Hopeman and Burghead and the surrounding areas. The ongoing closure has had a deeply damaging impact on them, with some patients now facing an astonishing four-hour round trip to Lossiemouth for ten minute appointments.
“The consultation to close these surgeries was a sham and nothing more than a tick-box exercise.
“This fight has been above party politics and I was delighted to see senior figures from other parties stay and contribute in my debate. They heard me relay astonishing research that almost half of patients in Moray are waiting a week or more for GP appointments. That will only get worse with a lack of access to GP surgeries.
“It was welcome to hear Neil Gray’s positive response and praise for campaigners. These warm words must now be backed up with a realistic plan to re-open healthcare facilities as soon as possible in Hopeman and Burghead.
“I hope the debate provided some reassurance to the campaign group and local residents that their case is being heard at the highest level. In the meeting with the cabinet Secretary after the debate he was left in no doubt by members of Save Our Surgeries that we need healthcare facilities in these villages and the campaigners have solutions to the closures we have suffered.
"We now need action from the Scottish Government and NHS Grampian to deliver these.”