Save Our Surgeries campaigners heartened after debate in Scottish Parliament
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THE campaigners fighting to return primary health care to two Moray villages were praised by MSPs today during a members debate at the Scottish Parliament.
The debate had been secured by Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross to draw further attention to the campaign while also highlighting the difficulties of health care access in communities across rural Scotland.
The Save Our Surgeries (SOS) group from Hopeman and Burghead were praised by MSPs from across the political spectrum, with Mr Ross opening the debate by thanking campaigners for their "tireless efforts" in fighting for the return of healthcare facilities to their villages.
Five key members of the campaign group – Dennis Slater, Rhona Grant, Hazel Grant, Syanness Tunggal and Liz McKnockiter – were in attendance at the debate.
Following the debate, SOS member Liz Mcknockiter said: "It was fantastic to see so much support for rural communities and recognition from MSPs that things are not ideal for people in those communities.
"I think Rhoda Grant's comment about nurse-led facilities was brilliant, there has been too much focus on GPs and as Douglas Ross said, we do not need all of the services in Burghead and Hopeman, we would be quite happy with a nurse-led service.
"To see the extent of cross party support was heartening, it is fantastic that they are prepared to work together to look at this problem because it is not just in Moray."
The group also met with Cabinet Secretary for Health Neil Gray, who discussed plans to arrange a meeting between members, NHS Grampian and Health and Social Care Moray.
They also handed over a 1500 signature petition calling for the retention of local health services.
After the meeting Rhona Grant said: "It makes me hopeful to see so much support. It is great that Mr Gray has sat and listened to each and every one of us and he is going to help make things happen."
And Hazel Grant added: "I think we are all feeling good and very positive after that. You could see that Mr Gray really listened to us and paid attention during the meeting.
"Hopefully he'll be able to get us a meeting with NHS Grampian and Health and Social Care and they will attend, will listen and will act, they have attended before, they have listened but we haven't had action. Hopefully after today that will change."
