By John Lamont MP
Scotland's NHS has been under severe strain for some time.
Despite the best efforts of overworked nurses and doctors, the NHS has gone from one crisis to another.
Every week I hear from people across the Scottish Borders who are struggling to get a quick GP consultation, finding it difficult to book a dentist appointment or have been told they need to wait many months for essential treatment.
I have continually pushed the SNP Government to invest more in our health services, especially in the Borders where it is particularly challenging to recruit enough staff. They simply haven't done enough to support our local NHS.
I am disappointed to hear that the situation could soon go from bad to worse. NHS Borders have said they may soon suggest closing the 92 community hospital beds in Kelso, Duns, Hawick and Peebles.
The community hospitals have been under threat of closure for some time. Earlier this year, Kelso GPs pulled out of the arrangement to support the hospitals. The agreement for Knoll Hospital in Duns has also come to an end.
This is not the fault of our fantastic NHS staff who work tirelessly in spite of the huge challenges they face.
The problem is the budget shortfall at NHS Borders. As a result of a lack of funds from Holyrood, cuts are being considered.
But closing these community hospitals and removing all the 92 beds from the Borders would be a huge mistake.
As you know, the services offered by these community hospitals are vital to local communities. They provide first-class healthcare for many local people, who really appreciate the care they receive from dedicated NHS professionals at these venues.
Closing these essential facilities would be unacceptable. This proposal must be abandoned.
As you will remember, the previous Labour and Liberal Democrat government let dozens of community hospitals across Scotland shut.
It would be shameful if the SNP Government allowed more beds to be removed from the Scottish Borders. They must now step in urgently to ensure the hospitals stay open.
I have started a campaign to oppose the closure of the community hospitals and I will fight hard to ensure the beds remain in place.
Please visit my website to join my campaign so we can send a clear message to the SNP Government and local NHS chiefs that these hospital beds must remain in the Borders.
