Health secretary Michael Matheson "slap in the face" to Save Our Surgeries campaigners in Burghead and Hopeman

"A TOTAL dereliction of duty" was the accusation levelled at Scottish Health Secretary Michael Matheson by Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross after he failed to commit to a meeting with Save our Surgeries campaigners fighting to keep GP surgeries open in Burghead and Hopeman.

Mr Ross, an MSP for the Highlands and Islands, raised the closure of the two surgeries during health portfolio questions in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday.

After asking Mr Matheson to meet with campaigners in Moray or Holyrood, Mr Ross said it showed "utter disregard" for rural and remote healthcare services to dismiss that.

Mr Ross said the community has "worked tirelessly" to bring forward positive solutions.

He accused the SNP government of failing to support local GP services.

Mr Ross said: “I was particularly disappointed because I thought it was a perfectly reasonable request to have Scotland’s health secretary simply meet campaigners and listen to them.

“Their campaigning has sent the strongest possible message to local decision makers. It is time for Michael Matheson to accept his responsibilities and stand up for the people in Hopeman and Burghead who deserve to be heard."

In his reponse to Mr Ross, the health secretary said he was aware of the issues in Burghead and Hopeman, and said the matter was one for the Integrated Joint Board, health and social care partnership and NHS Grampian.

"I would encourage those locally to engage with the health board, IJB and health and social care partnership to ensure they can get sustainability going forward," he added.

A final meeting to decide the future of the GP surgeries in Burghead and Hopeman will take place in June 26.

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