Roddick presses for debate on Raigmore Hospital capacity

Emma Roddick, MSP for Inverness and Nairn, has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling for a dedicated debate on the capacity of Raigmore Hospital and Highland healthcare.

The motion, which is only the eighth motion to be lodged so far this parliamentary session, has already secured cross-party support from five different political parties – the first to hit the cross-party requirement these proposals must first meet before being considered for debate.

Recognising the growing pressures on local healthcare infrastructure, the Inverness and Nairn MSP is leading the parliamentary push to ensure that clinical space and staffing levels keep pace with the evolving needs of the Highland population.

Ms Roddick has highlighted that while the National Treatment Centre Highland has played a vital role in addressing elective surgery waiting lists, further consideration is urgently needed regarding the hospital’s wider capacity to support both patients and dedicated NHS staff.

Emma Roddick said:

“Raigmore Hospital is the heart of our healthcare system in the Highlands, and I know from my own experience as a patient, MSP, and former NHS worker that the dedication of its staff is second to none.   However, constituents in Inverness and Nairn regularly share their very real concerns with me regarding capacity and the intense pressure the hospital is under.

“I am incredibly grateful to colleagues from five different parties who have already backed this motion.  Healthcare is something that folk of all political ideologies should be able to agree must be available to our constituents, and this strong, cross-party consensus shows just how vital this issue is for our region.

“We need to look honestly at our healthcare infrastructure to ensure that our clinical spaces and staffing levels can truly deliver the high-quality care that local people deserve.  I hope to see my debate make it onto business very soon so we can get the Scottish Government’s response right there in the Chamber.”

The cross-party support includes MSPs from the Scottish National Party, Scottish Greens, Scottish Conservatives, Scottish Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK.  Due to this widespread backing – so far unique amongst Members Business proposals – the motion is expected to be eligible to be scheduled for a full debate in the Scottish Parliament very soon.