Health & Social Care
Fixing what matters most
If there’s one issue that comes up more than any other when I’m out speaking to people, it’s this:
“I just can’t get the care I need when I need it.”
Whether it’s struggling to get a GP appointment, long waits for treatment, or services being pulled further and further away from our communities—people feel like the system just isn’t working anymore.
And they’re right.
A System Under Pressure
Our NHS still has incredible staff doing incredible work.
But the reality is:
- Hundreds of thousands of people are stuck on waiting lists
- Patients are waiting far too long for treatment
- Staff are overstretched, undervalued and leaving the profession
This didn’t happen overnight—but after nearly two decades in charge, the SNP simply can’t keep blaming someone else.
We need a plan to get things back on track—and that’s exactly what the Scottish Liberal Democrats are offering.
My Focus for the Highlands
Alongside national reforms, there are some critical local priorities that I will fight for relentlessly.
🏥 Securing the Future of Belford Hospital
This is absolutely vital for Lochaber and the wider area.
Liberal Democrats secured the funding to restart this project after it was halted—but right now, funding only takes it as far as an Outline Business Case this autumn.
That’s not enough.
👉 I will fight to ensure:
- Full funding is confirmed
- Construction actually goes ahead
- There are no further SNP-imposed delays
Because we simply cannot afford to lose momentum on a project this important.
🚑 Restoring 24/7 Urgent Care in Portree
Communities in Skye deserve access to urgent care around the clock.
The loss of 24/7 provision has left people feeling vulnerable and exposed.
👉 I will support and push for:
- The full restoration of 24/7 urgent care services in Portree
- A long-term, sustainable staffing model to support it
Access to urgent care shouldn’t depend on the time of day.
🏥 Backing the Upgrade of Raigmore Hospital
Raigmore is under huge pressure—and we all see the consequences of that.
👉 I will continue backing:
- Investment and expansion at Raigmore Hospital
- A clear long-term plan to meet growing demand
Because Raigmore is the backbone of healthcare across the Highlands—and it needs proper support.
📍 Keeping Services Local
Too many decisions have been made to centralise services away from Highland communities.
That means:
- Longer journeys for treatment
- Families separated from support networks
- Rural communities losing vital services
👉 I will push for:
- An end to the centralisation of NHS services
- A commitment to delivering care closer to home
- No more stripping services out of the Highlands
Healthcare should work around communities—not the other way around.
What Needs to Change Nationally
Alongside these local priorities, there are big national reforms needed to fix the system.
⏱️ Cutting Waiting Times
Right now, too many people are waiting far too long for care.
We will:
- Expand capacity to reduce waiting lists
- Deliver faster diagnosis and treatment
- Introduce new screening programmes to catch illness earlier
Because early treatment saves lives.
🧠 Transforming Mental Health Services
Mental health services are under huge strain—especially for young people.
We will:
- Increase access to talking therapies
- Train and recruit more mental health professionals
- Provide support in GP surgeries and communities
And ensure people don’t have to tell their story over and over again just to get help.
👩⚕️ Supporting NHS Staff
You can’t fix the NHS without supporting the people who keep it running.
We will:
- Deliver a long-term NHS workforce plan
- Recruit and retain more doctors, nurses and specialists
- Give staff a stronger voice in how services are run
Because right now, too many feel burnt out and undervalued.
🏡 Fixing Social Care
Here’s the simple truth:
You can’t fix the NHS unless you fix social care.
Too many people are stuck in hospital because the right care isn’t available at home.
We will:
- Improve pay and conditions for care workers
- Support unpaid carers properly
- Reduce delayed discharges and free up hospital capacity
This is better for patients—and better for the whole system.
Prevention Matters Too
Healthcare isn’t just about treatment—it’s about helping people stay well.
We’ll also focus on:
- Preventative care and early intervention
- Tackling drug deaths as a public health emergency
- Supporting long Covid patients with proper care pathways
Because a healthier population means a stronger NHS.
A Fair Deal for Rural Healthcare
One thing is clear:
The Highlands need a different approach.
Distance, geography and workforce challenges mean a one-size-fits-all system simply doesn’t work here.
That’s why I support a Fair Deal for Rural Healthcare—making sure services are designed around the realities of Highland life, not central belt assumptions.
Want to Explore More?
This is just one part of my plan.
👉 You can also read more about:
- [Transport & Infrastructure →] (coming soon)
- Economy & Cost of Living
- Energy bills and fuel costs
- [Education & Young People →] (coming soon)
- [Housing & Communities →] (coming soon)
If you’ve got experience of the NHS or care system—good or bad—I’d really like to hear it.
Because the only way we fix this is by listening to the people who rely on it every day.