Health secretary insists delayed major trauma network is on course to launch this year

Health Secretary Shona Robison insists there are no further delays to the roll-out of the major trauma network.

Ninewells will be one of four connected centres in Scotland dealing with the most serious injuries, such as car crash and gunshot wounds.

In 2014, the SNP administration said they will be operational from 2016.

Speaking at Holyrood, Ms Robison said the network will be up and running this year and implemented in phases until 2022.

“Funding of £10.2m of revenue in 2018-19 will allow the implementation of major trauma centres in Dundee and Aberdeen that meet the agreed minimum requirements, which will be operational during 2018,” the Dundee representative told fellow MSPs.

Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald said: “It is vital that Shona Robison now does all she can to ensure there are no further delays to the project – including ensuring adequate funding for major trauma facilities and addressing recruitment and retention problems.”