SNP and Greens refuse to support Scottish Lib Dem plans to address the GP shortage

Renfrewshire Liberal Democrats have slammed the SNP and Greens for refusing to support plans to address the GP shortage and tackle long waits for treatment.

On 21st February, a parliamentary motion tabled by Scottish Liberal Democrats called on the SNP/Green Government to rewrite their failed NHS Recovery Plan to prioritise recruitment and retention of staff and strengthen local health services by expanding the range of services and specialists available, including in fields such as mental health and physiotherapy.

However, it was blocked in the Scottish Parliament, after SNP and Green MSPs refused to back the plans.

It comes after Scottish Liberal Democrats revealed that one in five Scots say their mental health has been impacted by long GP and hospital waits.

Jack Clark, Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Paisley & Renfrewshire South, said:

“The Scottish Government is driving local health services into the ground, and it seems that the SNP/ Green partnership is happy to keep it that way.

“It is a complete slap in the face to all those in Renfrewshire who expect their MSP to stand up and fight for them.

“So many people across Renfrewshire are finding it near-impossible to see their GP and waiting months for hospital treatment.

“The Scottish Liberal Democrat motion called on ministers to change course and back our plans so that everyone can get swift access to care close to home.

“Instead, they have shown that they simply do not care. Despite this being one of the biggest issues that comes up on the doorstep, the Government and local SNP politicians are happy to live in ignore the issue, while waits spiral and patients suffer.”