HANDS OFF PRI were given a platform at the Scottish Parliament yesterday to express the pressure group’s concerns about the future of the health service in Perthshire.

A debate on the way forward for Scotland’s NHS was held in the Holyrood debating chamber, to which one of the group’s members, Kathryn Davie, was invited.

Education providers, health professionals, campaign groups, members of the public and MSPs, all debated NHS workforce-related issues and potential solutions.

Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham is convener of the health committee.

She explained, “Communities right across Scotland are extremely concerned about planned or proposed changes to their local health services.

“This was a great opportunity for both health professionals and members of the public to have a direct input to the debate and play a part in influencing the future of Scotland’s health service.

“That is why the health committee has sponsored this unique event. This debate has not been about the politicians but about people—people who have a lot to say about the National Health Service and want to see it function in the best possible way.

“As Scotland’s Parliament, we need to listen. I am particularly pleased that amongst the delegates we had here today was Kathryn Davie from Hands Off PRI. It is important that the voice of people like Kathryn is heard.”

The campaign to retain services—and particularly maternity services—at Perth Royal Infirmary has been at the top of the local agenda in Perth for as long as Ms Cunningham has been an MP or MSP and, “it is a campaign that has my wholehearted support,” she added.

Ms Davie said, “I am extremely pleased that Roseanna and her committee have given us the opportunity to bring our concerns about the future of the health service in Scotland—and in Perthshire in particular—to the Parliament.

“The health committee is certainly listening and I hope that means that the Executive will be listening, too.

“Unfortunately it has been our experience far too often in the past that the people who have been making the decisions on the health service have not been prepared to listen to those who will be most affected by the decisions they take.”

Yesterday’s debate was organised by the Scottish Parliament’s health committee following the publication of its report in January called Reshaping the NHS in Scotland?

The report examined the pressures for changes on the NHS and the resulting nationwide opposition, frequently voiced by local campaigners.