Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
MSP’s offshore investors fear over new hospital
Richard Leonard has called on the Scottish Government to ensure that offshore investors based in tax havens do not benefit from taxpayers’ money in the building of any replacement Monklands Hospital.
The Scottish Labour leader’s appeal follows the revelation that profits from the controversial new children’s hospital in Edinburgh – with NHS Lothian paying a reported £1.4million a month for a hospital that is years behind schedule – is being channelled through tax havens to offshore investors.
Cent ra l Scotland MSP Mr Leonard said: “This SNP Government is simply incompetent when it comes to our NHS.
“They are failing to provide the NHS with the resources it needs to meet waiting times targets and employ enough doctors, nurses, midwives and other medical professionals.
“Now, we find out that in one area and for one project alone, £1.4million is being spent each and every month for a hospital that isn’t even open and hasn’t treated one single child.”
Mr Leonard has also highlighted research that shows the £1.4 million being spent on the Edinburgh children’s hospital would pay for 10 surgeons, 15 nurses and 15 midwives, based on the average salary figures for these professions in the Scottish capital.
He added: “The news that public funds are being channelled to offshore investors comes on the back of a public inquiry into the safety of the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital ( QEUH) building in Glasgow and that of the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh.
“The Crown Office is also investigating the deaths of patients who contracted infections at the QEUH.
“That is why I am seeking assurances about the replacement Monklands Hospital.”
The Scottish Parliament held a debate on NHS construction projects and the official record of the meeting can be found atwww. parliament. scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=12259&mode=pdf