Lib-Dem Jamie Stone's commitment to NHS questioned by rival for constituency
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SNP candidate Karl Rosie has questioned Jamie Stone's commitment to the NHS following comments made last week by the sitting Liberal Democrat MP.
Mr Stone, who is seeking to retain his Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross seat in Thursday’s general election, told the John O'Groat Journal that the Lib Dems will not support any trade deals that undermine the health service. He described his party as "passionately committed to the principles of the NHS".
But rival candidate Mr Rosie said: “I have to question Jamie Stone’s position on the NHS. In recent discussions on the redesign of health care in Caithness, Mr Stone showed a real lack of commitment where he failed to take a meaningful part in finding workable solutions to improve the NHS Highland provision.”
Mr Rosie said that in his role as a Highland councillor for Thurso and Northwest Caithness he had worked in partnership with the community to secure a £30 million investment from the Scottish Government to redesign health and social care in the county. The investment will fund health care hubs in Wick and Thurso, along with a refurbishment of Caithness General Hospital.
It’s well known that a no-deal Brexit would be disastrous for the NHS.
“Further reason to doubt the Lib Dem candidate’s commitment to the NHS comes from the claim he made in a TV interview in October where he stated that a no-deal Brexit would be preferable over Jeremy Corbyn as interim Prime Minister.
“It’s well known that a no-deal Brexit would be disastrous for the NHS, causing delays in imported medicines, an abrupt end to reciprocal health care and severe disruption to the NHS workforce. If Mr Stone was prepared to compromise our health service, I think it’s safe to say that his definition of ‘commitment’ is skewed.”
Mr Rosie added: “Undoubtedly, there are issues surrounding health care in communities across our constituency that need to be addressed. If elected, I am committed to taking a collaborative approach where I would consult communities to enable participation, while also engaging with NHS Highland to identify their needs and key issues.
“NHS Highland is staffed by professionals that are committed to providing quality care settings and are continually making efforts to plug the gaps and put sustainable solutions into place. We must have inclusive discussions on improving health care in our rural communities.
“The Tories are desperate for a post-Brexit trade deal with Donald Trump and we need to do all we can to protect our health service from profit-driven exploitation. A vote for the SNP on December 12 is a vote to stop Brexit and put Scotland’s future in Scotland’s hands.”
Mr Stone in turn accused Mr Rosie of having failed to do his homework.
“While MSP for the area I successfully prevented the downgrading of the consultant-led maternity service at Caithness General Hospital, something which has now happened on the SNP's watch," Mr Stone said.
“While MP, in the chamber I repeatedly raised the issues facing health and social care services in the far north which were brought to me time and again by worried constituents.
“I wrote to the cabinet secretary for health and social care multiple times asking for the Scottish Government to carry out a safety audit into the 100-mile journey facing some expectant mothers. Not only did they not produce such an audit, the SNP minister Jeane Freeman didn’t even bother to reply. I’d say that shows a government failing to take the safety of its people seriously.
“And when it comes to the no-deal comment, Mr Rosie clearly hasn’t done his homework. If you watch the interview in question in full it’s very clear that I believe no-deal is the worst possible option facing this country, and indeed I voted against this on multiple occasions while in parliament. The Liberal Democrats have been clear from day one – the best way to help our NHS is to stop Brexit.”
