A flagship emergency unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary could be in jeopardy after Health Secretary Shona Robison admitted top doctors have doubts about the project.
The Scottish Government announced to great fanfare in 2014 a plan to build four potentially life-saving trauma centres – including one in Aberdeen – by the end of this year.
But yesterday Ms Robison admitted medical experts have doubts about the idea – and refused to tell parliament if the centres would ever be built.
Scottish Labour MSP Lewis Macdonald accused Ms Robison of “reneging” on the SNP’s promise, suggesting the backtrack would hit staff morale and recruitment at NHS Grampian.
He also questioned why Ms Robison, who is MSP for Dundee East, proposed building the four trauma centres without first consulting with medical experts.
Ms Robison told parliament: “Good progress continues to be made developing the right trauma network for Scotland.
“However there are differing views among clinicians about just how many major trauma centres Scotland needs and it is extremely important that we get the model of care right.
“I’ve asked the national planning forums to examine what the appropriate balance of centres within a new trauma network would be.”
She later put out a statement clarifying her remarks, claiming Aberdeen has “an essential role” to play within the network of major trauma centres.
The Scottish Government claimed the new centres could save “up to 40 lives a year” when they announced the plan to build the four units, which would also be based in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Responding to Ms Robison’s statement in the chamber, Mr Macdonald said: “(This) is very disappointing.
“The government made a very clear commitment in April 2014 that there would be four specialist trauma centres.
“Does the cabinet secretary not realise the impact on the morale of staff – and on the ability of hospitals to recruit staff – when she reneges on that promise?
“I do not understand why it is that Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and Ninewells Hospital in Dundee are now faced with this uncertainty after a very clear commitment was made by her government two years ago.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Macdonald added: “Shona Robison tried to hide behind unnamed clinicians, who apparently could not agree on how many major trauma centres Scotland needs.
“She failed to explain why SNP Ministers didn’t consult these same doctors before making their announcement in 2014.
“The SNP’s willingness to backslide on this issue would have an impact on Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and on the rest of NHS Grampian’s services, in particular on its ability to attract experienced doctors.”