Robison faces more NHS flak

A local politician has said health secretary Shona Robison must be held accountable for the issues at NHS Tayside.

Over the past few weeks, a number of problems have appeared at the health board, including missed waiting time targets, and brokerage loans of £35m. This comes on top of the Perth and Kinross integrated joint board’s decision to close Beechgrove House Care Home, despite members from Perth and Kinross Council looking to vote against the closure.

Now, Murdo Fraser, Conservative MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, has said there needs to be a“dose of accountability”with the health secretary.

He said:“Serious questions over the involvement of the health secretary in the NHS Tayside crisis remain but problems at the health board run deeper than endowment funding and a change in direction from the Scottish Government is sorely needed.

“Furthermore, the way in which top NHS Tayside officials, one of whom had only been in post for 18 months, were treated by the Scottish Government was particularly shabby.

“NHS Tayside is facing a mounting bill of brokerage loans and on top of that are only meeting two from the eight key waiting time targets.

“It won’t take long before this starts to affect patient care.

“What we must have from the Scottish Government and their health minister is a dose of accountability and transparency. More than a change at the top we need a change in policy and so far the SNP look all out of ideas on how we can properly equip health boards for the challenges they face.”