The health secretary is being urged to apologise for “misleading” claims made by her predecessor about the future of Perth Royal Infirmary.
NHS Tayside’s plans to transfer all unscheduled surgeries from Perth to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee. Former health secretary Shona Robison said earlier this year accident and emergency services in the Fair City would be protected.
Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSPs Murdo Fraser and Liz Smith have launched a campaign against the proposals.
Mr Fraser has written to new health secretary Jeane Freeman, asking her to apologise for the Scottish Government’s “lack of transparency” over the shake-up.
“For nine months I have asked the Scottish Government about the future of A&E services at PRI only to be told it was safe,” he said.
“Decisions on this scale are not made overnight and the Scottish Government must have known about these plans when drafting up these misleading statements.
“We need the Scottish Government to come clean about PRI and that is why I have written to the health secretary. Ultimately, at the very least, patients deserve an apology from the Scottish Government over their complete lack of transparency.”
Mr Fraser also urged people to attend a public meeting bout PRI’s A&E department at Aytoun Hall, Auchterarder, starting at 7pm, on August 7.
A Scottish Government spokesman said the changes will improve surgeries across Tayside and reduce the number of cancelled operations.
“The Royal Infirmary plays a vital role providing health care to the people of Perth and will continue to do so,” he said.
“As has already been made clear by NHS Tayside, this includes the A&E being retained at the PRI.
“Improvements in healthcare have resulted in increased numbers of same-day surgeries and shorter stays in hospital for many patients, meaning that more care is now delivered in the community.
“NHS Tayside has sought to assure us that the proposed changes will improve surgical services in Tayside and provide safer, higher quality services, while also minimising the risk of cancelled procedures.”
The Courier described last week how other local services in Perth and Kinross have been hit.
The minor injury units in Crieff and Pitlochry will operate with reduced hours until staffing shortages can be resolved.
