Nicola Sturgeon has set out her party’s plans for a multi-million pound investment in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
As the SNP leader hit the campaign trail, she outlined how she hopes the £30million flagship elective treatment centre will be a “huge success” for the north-east.
The centre – one of five that will be built across Scotland, including at Raigmore in Inverness – is designed to speed up operations for older people, such as hip and knee replacements, and cataract removals.
It is also hoped the centres, which are modelled on a similar facility at Clydebank’s Golden Jubilee hospital, will ease the bed-blocking crisis, which has been a particular problem in the Highlands, and take pressure off accident and emergency facilities.
The SNP has been criticised by opposition parties and former doctors at NHS Grampian, who claim their “centralisation” agenda risks leaving the north-east with “second-class” healthcare.
But Ms Sturgeon said the plans for the elective treatment centre at Foresterhill showed that the SNP was investing in the region.
She said: “People in Scotland are living longer than ever before – that’s undoubtedly a good thing. But we must make sure that we put the right healthcare and support in place to ensure that they can continue to lead active, healthy and independent lives too.
“That’s why it is so important to make sure our health services are fit for the future and we are committing to £200million for five elective treatment centres at key hospital sites across Scotland.
“Aberdeen Royal Infirmary serves a bustling city and huge number of communities across the region – including the Northern Isles.
“Investing in a flagship elective treatment centre at Foresterhill means NHS Grampian will be able to deliver a huge range of procedures including knee and hip replacements and cataract operations as quickly as possible – and with more of these services being delivered in the community.
“Elective treatment at the Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank has been a huge success story. I’ve met with older patients and heard first-hand how a new hip, or knee replacement can be totally transformational and give them a completely new lease of life.”
The first minister – who was speaking during a visit to a voluntary organisation which provides day centre services for older people living independently – said the policy was designed to ensure Scotland is “fit for the future”.
SNP candidate for Aberdeen Central Kevin Stewart added: “The new treatment centre at Foresterhill will be a welcome step in ensuring our local NHS is fit to meet the challenges of the future – and demonstrates yet again the SNP’s cast iron commitment to investing not just in the future of our health service, but in major projects to benefit people across Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland.”
