Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
TALKING POLITICS Patients ‘being failed’ by SNP
I would like to use my first Advertiser column of 2020 to wish everyone a happy and peaceful new year.
For too many, a new year brings the same challenges and difficulties as the old one. For those living in poverty it remains a choice whether they can afford to heat their homes or feed themselves and their families, and Christmas can push those with little into further debt.
There is help and advice available for those struggling from organisations such as Citizens Advice and money advice services at North Lanarkshire Council.
It is a great credit to the Labour administration in North Lanarkshire Council that the Club 365 initiative ensured that hundreds of children did not go hungry over the Christmas and new year holiday. After enduring a decade of cuts from the SNP Government, the Labour party in North Lanarkshire Council continue to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.
NHS Lanarkshire recorded its worst performance in accident and emergency delays since targets began. And the winter figures are still to be published; they are likely to show an even worse result.
Our NHS staff, who have to work all through Christmas and new year to look after our sick and injured, are facing greater pressure to meet targets without the support they need and deserve from the government at Holyrood.
Patients and staff alike are being failed by the SNP who have repeatedly ignored warnings of the crisis now gripping many parts of our health service. Thousands of people want to see a replacement Monklands Hospital built on the site of the current hospital – more than 5000 have signed my petition on this matter.
Despite the overwhelming support for that option, the Health Secretary Jeane Freeman ignored strong local public opinion and instructed the health board to exclude that option from consideration.
The NHS belongs to the people – not to any government. It is extremely disappointing the SNP Government has chosen not to listen to the people on this important issue.
I am interested that, at this very late stage, a shortlisted option is to build at Wester Moffat in Airdrie. This option was never considered previously and will come as a surprise to many people who have been frustrated by the process.
As an MSP, I am here to listen to, and act in, the best interests of the people. I will now consult with those who have contacted me about the hospital, with residents in the Wester Moffat area and also with the wider community who use and rely upon NHS Monklands services.
I have already written to the chief executive of the health board seeking more information. If you need support on any issue, my office is open Monday to Friday and can be reached on 01236 423555; alternatively you can email Richard.Leonard.MSP@Parliament.Scot.
I hold surgeries the first Friday of every month at 12.30pm in Shotts First Stop; 1.30pm in Motherwell library; and 2.30pm in Airdrie library.