NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 6 July 2009 MURDO RAISES PERTHSHIRE CONCERNS WITH NHS 24 An out-of-hours health service that is adequate for Highland Perthshire: that was the message that MSPs Murdo Fraser and Mary Scanlon gave to NHS 24 Scotland’s Chief Executive Dr George Crooks when they met with him to discuss the health service in Highland Perthshire and NHS 24’s role. Murdo Fraser and Mary Scanlon visited NHS 24’s call centre in South Queensferry, which covers calls from Perthshire residents, after a number of constituents in Kinloch Rannoch raised concerns with the politicians relating to the performance of NHS 24. The concerns were raised by residents during a public meeting organised by Murdo on health services in Highland Perthshire. Commenting after the meeting, Murdo said: “A number of constituents in Kinloch Rannoch raised concerns with me about the service of NHS 24 during the public meeting on out-of-hours health services for the Kinloch Rannoch area. Residents outlined issues such as the length of time that it takes to get a diagnosis, having to repeat information over the phone as well as the problem of operators only accepting information from a patient even if the patient was in distress or pain. “I have met with the Dr George Crooks, the Chief Executive of NHS 24 Scotland, to discuss the problems raised with the service in Highland Perthshire. It is important that NHS 24 listens to its patients and can improve its service for people in Highland Perthshire. I was pleased to hear about the improvements in service at NHS 24 that have been put in place. “The overriding message from the public meeting in Kinloch Rannoch was the concern and anger at the lack of out-of-hours GP cover. I believe that the people of Highland Perthshire are being short-changed and other communities in Scotland would not stand for it the level of service being offered to Kinloch Rannoch. “It is clear that the local community intends to continue fighting until they see a safe system of 24-hour medical cover for this remote area put into place and I will continue to put pressure on the SNP Government until we see an adequate health service for Kinloch Rannoch and the rest of Highland Perthshire.” ENDS   back to top of page