Dentistry, Gilbert Bain Hospital, airport parking charges
Dentistry
On Thursday during First Minister’s Questions I was able to quiz the First Minister on the current NHS dental system that is failing constituents in Shetland. I welcome the First Minister’s commitment of the Public Health Minister’s attention on this matter, and I have been engaging with her on the long term issues involved in NHS dentistry in the islands. Meantime, however, that is not solving patients’ toothache and we need a plan to mitigate this aspect. The current so-called ‘high street model’ isn’t working in Shetland where we have no options to access different NHS dentist providers. I would like to see a model that can ensure routine care is accessible to all NHS patients.
Gilbert Bain Hospital
Many of you will be aware of my long-standing campaign for a new build, modern, replacement to the current Gilbert Bain Hospital, and my support of NHS Shetland in pursuing this too. This week it was reported that the building needed urgent maintenance and repairs. The 1950s configuration was outgrown years ago, and the case has been made for a modern hospital fit for 21st century needs, as the Health Secretary confirmed to me in April. The sooner the Scottish Government green lights a new build hospital the better. I know staff at the Gilbert Bain Hospital will continue to deliver the best healthcare possible despite the challenges of the building and I will continue to raise the issue with the Scottish Government.
Airport car park charges
This week HIAL announced its plan to reinstate parking charges at Sumburgh Airport. This is very disappointing. It is yet another tax on island living and when it was first introduced it was done so without any consultation with anyone in the community and with no assessment of the impact on those travelling. It is not just holiday makers that are affected, people travel from Sumburgh every day for ordinary things like work, health appointments or family events. I hope HIAL will re-think and scrap the plans.
Farming
Crofters and farmers rallied outside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday ahead of the Scottish Budget. While I was not able to attend the rally my Scottish Liberal Democrat colleagues were there. Willie Rennie also raised a question with the Scottish Government in the Chamber about its response is to the removal of ring-fenced agricultural support funding for devolved nations by the UK Government.
Stroke treatment
I took the opportunity during Health and Social Care questions to raise the matter of stroke treatment and the lack of equality of access to thrombectomy treatment in Scotland. Thrombectomies are used across the world and despite being at war, Ukraine performs more thrombectomies per year than Scotland. The procedure can make a huge difference to the outcome for a stroke patient.
Buses pass removal for anti-social behaviour
Wednesday afternoon’s debate proposed the removal of bus passes for those under-22s repeatedly causing anti-social behaviour. I responded on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats backing the idea where there was a framework in place and a mechanism to appeal, consideration should be given to removal of free bus entitlement.
A96 Statement
I responded on behalf of the Scottish Liberal Democrats to the Scottish Government’s A96 statement on Thursday afternoon in light of a report which recommended a reversal to plans for full dualling of the road. If the Scottish Government does make radical changes to the long-standing infrastructure pledges communities the length of the A96 corridor will have every right to feel let down by another broken SNP promise.