Tories to force vote calling on Health Secretary to quit
The Scottish Conservatives are set to bring a vote calling for the Health Secretary to resign.
The party has proposed an amendment to a motion tabled by Scottish Labour on the NHS workforce, which if voted through would call on Neil Gray to step down.
Mr Gray’s tenure in the job has been “disastrous”, the Scottish Tories have said.
The party’s health spokesman, Dr Sandesh Gulhane, said: “Things were bad enough for suffering patients and overwhelmed staff under his predecessors, but the latest SNP Health Secretary is overseeing a permanent crisis in the health service.
“His complete lack of leadership means patients’ lives are being put at risk and waiting lists are continuing to soar.
“People still cannot get GP or dentist appointments easily and many patients are stuck in hospital unnecessarily, despite the SNP’s pledge a decade ago to end delayed discharge.
“Not only is Neil Gray similar to Michael Matheson in that he is distracted by a personal scandal, he also has no vision for the future of our NHS.
“I urge MSPs from other parties to join the Scottish Conservatives and tell Neil Gray to resign.”
Mr Gray has been the target of calls to stand down in recent weeks from the Tories and Labour, but has so far retained the confidence – at least in public – of First Minister John Swinney.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie hinted at her party’s support for the amendment.
In a statement, she said: “All Neil Gray has to show for his record as Health Secretary is weekly queues at A&E, thousands stuck in limbo due to delayed discharge, and nurses delivering care in corridors.
“John Swinney has already sidelined his Health Secretary but if he is serious about delivering for Scotland, he must put someone more capable in his place.
“He is the third Health Secretary in as many years and has been completely distracted by the ‘limogate’ scandal.
“But after nearly 18 years, the SNP has had more than enough time to fix the NHS – it’s clear it has failed.”
The motion is non-binding, meaning if it does pass the Health Secretary will not be forced to step down.
The calls come in the same week as the First Minister laid out plans to reform the health service, parts of which he said is in “crisis”.
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.