Former Highland GP says NHS 'safer under independence'
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TORY MSP Mary Scanlon has hit out at an ex-Liberal Democrat councillor and former GP after he announced his support for Scottish independence.
The Highlands and Islands MSP criticised former Highland Council leader Michael Foxley for claiming the NHS would be safer under independence.
Earlier this week, the retired GP said he believed healthcare funding cuts south of the border would have a knock-on effect on the NHS in Scotland.
Mrs Scanlon said the facts were at odds with his statement.
"There are no cuts in the health service despite the austerity budget," she said.
"Last year alone there was an additional £300 million to Scotland as a result of higher spending in England and Wales. In addition to that there has been a total commitment by David Cameron and by every Conservative I have ever known in my three decades with this party that the NHS will always be open to all and free at the point of delivery."
Dr Foxley insisted there was a wide-spread view among health professionals that the NHS was at stake.
The crofter who lives in Lochaber said a nurse crossed the street and kissed him this week after his nationalistic colours were reported in the press.
"The funding that we get in Scotland is dependent on the amount of public financing the NHS gets from Westminster, and although there is cross-party support for protecting the NHS, there are still far more cuts to come in public expenditure from the Conservatives," he said.
"If the NHS is fully protected, then the cuts will have to land elsewhere."
Mrs Scanlon said the Scottish Government’s own 2011 manifesto stated Scotland’s devolved powers would protect the NHS in the north from cuts south of the border.
And she described the timing of Dr Foxley’s announcement as "interesting".
"Having been a loyal Liberal Democrat for decades it is interesting that he has announced his allegiance to the SNP within 24 hours of him being appointed by the Scottish Government to the chair of the regional board of the University of the Highlands and Islands," she said.
Dr Foxley said the comment was "totally inaccurate" and "unnecessary".
"First of all, I was not appointed by the Scottish Government," he said. "I was appointed by the committee of the UHI. Secondly, I have been doing the job that I am doing for the best part of two years."
He said the UK Government’s attitude to emergency tug vessels and ridding the country of Trident had also convinced him independence was best for Scotland.
