For immediate use: Thursday 7th October 2010
Attn: NEWSDESKS
Former GP and MSP Dr Ian McKee today ridiculed Iain Gray’s efforts to
attack the SNP Government over the record of delivery on health. Dr Mckee
contrasted the SNP's improvements to the health service with Labour's
appalling health legacy.
Under the SNP Government:
1. Labour plans to close accident and emergency at Monklands and Ayr have
been reversed
2. Labour’s efforts to hide thousands of patients on hidden waiting lists
were abolished
3. Waiting times are at a record low
4. £800 million is being invested in a new Southern General Hospital in
Glasgow
5. Cases of MRSA and C.diff infections which were allowed to rise
dramatically under Labour are at a record low, falling 40% in one year.
6. Prescription charges have been reduced
7. 400 additional dentists are working across the country.
8. 10,000 extra weeks of respite care across Scotland are being delivered
9. Children’s cancer and neurosurgery units in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow
and Edinburgh, and maternity services at Vale of Leven and Inverclyde have
been secured.
10. And the health servie has a guarantee that increases in health
spending in England will be transferred to health spending in Scotland –
something Iain Gray has failed to guarantee.
Listing just ten of the SNP Government’s achievements in health Ian McKee
said:
“Before Iain Gray talks about health he should remember that Labour hid
patients on secret lists to keep waiting times down, stood by as hospital
infections increased and put through closures of essential accident and
emergency services.
“That’s all before we get into the outrageously expensive PFI hospitals,
the privatisation of cleaning services and their failure to properly fund
free personal care or their current opposition to public health
improvements like minimum pricing for alcohol.
“At the coming election Scotland’s voters and Scotland’s health service
has a choice between an SNP Government that works with doctors, nurses and
patients to deliver the best possible care, free to all and a Labour party
whose only ideas are to cut the budget and cut services.”
ENDS
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