South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has commented on the news that plans to build new hospitals, surgeries and a network of treatment centres in Scotland have been put on hold.

This includes the planned National treatment centre at Carrick Glen Hospital in Ayr; the replacement for Monklands Hospital in Airdrie; and national treatment centre in Cumbernauld.

The Scottish Government has said a revised NHS infrastructure plan would be unveiled in the spring, while in the meantime, addressing essential maintenance issues would be prioritised.

Colin Smyth said: “New National Treatment Centres were at the heart of the SNP’s NHS Recovery Plan and these delays spell disaster for waiting lists in the south of Scotland.

“This will be very worrying news for patients in south Scotland who would use those facilities being put on hold and shows just what a serious situation our NHS is facing.

“Hospitals in our region, like those across the country, are under huge amounts of pressure and every month we see figures which show yet more record high waiting lists.

“Our amazing NHS staff are doing all they can, but they can’t work miracles and need the improved facilities they were promised.”