NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Use 8 October 2009 KINLOCH RANNOCH OUT-OF-HOURS RAISED IN PARLIAMENT The Cabinet Secretary for Health Nicola Sturgeon MSP refused to say whether or not she will use her ministerial powers to intervene and reverse the decision to end an out-of-hours GP service in Kinloch Rannoch In the Scottish Parliament’s Debating Chamber, Mid-Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser asked the Cabinet Secretary for Health what the SNP Government was doing to restore an out-of-hours GP service in Kinloch Rannoch. In the Chamber, Murdo said: “I know that the Cabinet Secretary met campaigners from Kinloch Rannoch who are fighting for the restoration of out-of-hours general practitioner cover in that remote and rural area. If NHS Tayside is not prepared to take action to right the wrong that it has perpetrated against that community, will the Cabinet Secretary be prepared to use her powers of ministerial intervention to force it to do so?” In response, Nicola Sturgeon stated: “As Murdo Fraser well knows, the service is a matter for NHS Tayside. He is right that I met people from Kinloch Rannoch a couple of weeks ago when I chaired NHS Tayside’ annual review. “It is important to understand that all out-of-hours services in Scotland are required to meet standards that are developed by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland to ensure a safe, quality service for patients. It is also important to point out that the arrangements covering Kinloch Rannoch that NHS Tayside has put in place meet those standards.” In September, a number of residents from Kinloch Rannoch outlined their concerns to the Cabinet Secretary for Health Nicola Sturgeon and the NHS Tayside Board during the broad’s annual performance review. Murdo believes that Kinloch Rannoch requires a return to a 24-hour GP cover due to the remoteness of the area. In Summer 2007, the SNP Government intervened and reversed the closure of A&E Departments at two hospitals in Scotland. Commenting afterwards, Murdo said: “I am disappointed by the response from the Health Secretary. If the SNP Government is able and willing to get involved in important health issues, such as reversing the closure of A&E Departments, then it should be prepared to get involved in this important health issue and listen to the local community. “The people of Kinloch Rannoch have made it clear to the NHS Tayside Board and to the Cabinet Secretary for Health Nicola Sturgeon MSP on a number of occasions that they do not want a diluted health service. Kinloch Rannoch needs an out-of-hours GP service due to the size of the area affected and the distance from the nearest hospital: it is a remote and rural area of Scotland. “I know that locals believe that lives may be at risk due to the changed arrangements and losing out-of-hours GP cover.” ENDS   back to top of page