A delay to an investigation over whether people travelling long distances to medical appointments should receive financial support has been branded “shocking”.
Finlay Carson wants NHS Dumfries and Galloway patients to receive support to make appointments, with a similar scheme already running in NHS Highland.
But despite Holyrood being told in late 2020 that the Scottish Government would review the situation, it has yet to take place.
Mr Carson, the MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries, said: “The lack of urgency being displayed by this government is staggering especially given that a great many people who are already struggling through this cost of living crisis are now being denied potential financial help.
“Given that the Scottish Government can waste time and money on independence, it is about time they dealt with more pressing matters.”
The matter was first raised by South Scotland MSP Emma Harper in November 2020.
She asked whether people in Dumfries and Galloway could benefit from the scheme already in place in NHS Highland, with patients being reimbursed for travel to appointments more than 30 miles away through the Highlands and Islands Patient Travel Scheme.
The Health Secretary at the time, Jeane Freeman, told Ms Harper: “My officials will undertake a review of the arrangements for patient travel early in the new year, and I have asked them to conclude that review quickly.”
Mr Carson recently asked current Health Secretary Michael Matheson if there had been any progress.
In response, Mr Matheson wrote: “As previously confirmed in the chamber, a review of the arrangements in place for provision of financial support for patient travel will be undertaken.
“Regrettably, the review has been delayed due to ongoing prioritisation of the recovery of services. It will be taken forward as soon as possible, taking full account of the matters raised by members.”
