Cole-Hamilton responds as doctors, dentists and more reach out to Scottish Government

Responding to the embargoed letter sent by BDA Scotland, BMA Scotland, Community Pharmacy Scotland and Optometry Scotland to Finance Secretary Shona Robison warning that the National Insurance hike, coupled with the increase in National Living Wage announced at the Budget, will add significantly to the financial pressures services face, and warns that many struggling dental practices might be forced to reduce their NHS provision as a result, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

"Nobody wants to see local health provision dry up.

"It is clear that many of the changes that the UK Government has made in its first few months have had negative consequences.

"These are not the choices that the Liberal Democrats would have made. Money has been left in the hands of the big banks and social media firms that could have been used to support quick access to local healthcare and dentistry.”