South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has welcomed the news that NHS Dumfries and Galloway is slowly restarting some services and clinics which were stopped due to the Covid-19 crisis.

However, the local MSP has expressed his continued concern about the consequences of postponed operations and clinics, as well as those people who did not attend health care to have problems investigated out of concern about catching Covid-19 or not wanting to burden the NHS.

NHS Dumfries and Galloway chief executive Jeff Ace said a plan for restarting clinics and services had been submitted to the Scottish Government but he warned that it would be a gradual process and dependent on the continued suppression of the virus.

Colin Smyth said: “I welcome the news that NHS Dumfries and Galloway is slowly restarting some services and clinics which were stopped due to Covid-19. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful local NHS staff, as well as all health and social care workers for their dedication, professionalism and hard work through this unprecedented and very frightening time.

“Our NHS and health and social care workers have stepped up the mark and ensured we are as safe and as well cared for as possible. As lockdown measures are slowly lifted, it’s more vital than ever that people continue to follow government advice about what they should and shouldn’t do, the last thing anyone wants is a second wave of the virus.

“However, I do still have concerns about the consequences to the NHS in the future of so many non-urgent operations and procedures which were rightly cancelled or postponed during the pandemic. There will also be many people who decided not to visit their doctor to get something investigated because they did not want to burden the NHS or catch Covid-19.

“I am worried this will cause our NHS problems in the future and I would like to once again urge anyone with a health query or concern to call their GP in the first instance or 999 in an emergency.”