Rural National Health Service Boards (Clinical Staff)

Part of the debate – in the Scottish Parliament at on 19 November 2014.

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Photo of Alex Neil Alex Neil Scottish National Party

We have quite a number and wide range of initiatives. What is important is to ensure that nurses and allied health professionals have the facilities to work with. I would argue that the heavy investment that we are putting into many areas is beneficial. For example, in Grampian, when the new Inverurie centre—which I know has the support of the local member—is built in two or three years’ time, it will be seen to be a very good example of how we retain good-quality staff in rural areas.

I have been round the current Inverurie centre. Although the staff there do a fantastic job, including some operations, the need for a new facility is urgent, which is why we have given the go-ahead and the new facility will be opened in 2017.