Edinburgh's Eye Pavilion: Scottish Government accused of failing to recognise long-term pressures on health service in Lothian

The Scottish Government has been accused of failing to recognise the long-term pressures on the health service in Lothian as it sticks to is refusal to fund a new eye hospital for the Capital.

The Scottish Government is refusing to fund a replacement for the Princess Alexandria Eye Pavilion Pic Greg Macvean

Lothian Tory MSP Miles Briggs, who has launched a petition calling on ministers to change their mind and fund a replacement for the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, said the region's growing and ageing population meant more demand for eyecare services when there are already long waiting times.

Speaking after a meeting with NHS Lothian chief executive Calum Campbell, Mr Briggs urged the government to restore the £45 million funding which was expected for a new eye hospital at Little France when an initial agreement was signed in 2018 and a contractor appointed.

He said: "For some time now there have been legitimate concerns around Lothian being the lowest-funded health board in Scotland and the impact that’s having – and here's another chunk of capital funding being removed.

“The long term pressures on the health service in Lothian just aren't being recognised by SNP ministers. The Eye Pavilion is the latest example of that. It's totally unacceptable and people need to start fighting for their health service."

The government has suggested eyecare services should be dispersed across the region, including to a new elective care centre to be built at Livingston, and has told NHS Lothian to come up with proposals.

Mr Briggs said his meeting with Mr Campbell had been useful.

"The health board has been put in a very difficult position by the Scottish Government,” he said. “I'm pleased I've been able to pass on to them the concerns that have been put to me.

“But we need to make sure we see a transparent process over what solution they are trying to develop now they have been put in this position and had the money cut from them.

"Above all I think it's quite clear Lothian needs a new eye hospital and I’m determined to continue to fight for that.

"What we have at the moment is a hospital staffed by world-class professionals, but if that is lost I don't think we'll get it back again.”

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