The Scottish Liberal Democrats have attacked the SNP’s “relentless” centralisation of services, amid fears northern isles NHS boards could be abolished.
Liam McArthur will today demand the Scottish Government rules out scrapping NHS Shetland and NHS Orkney.
The Orkney MSP claimed islanders were “understandably concerned” about a “loss of local control” if the health boards were to be disbanded.
And Mr McArthur has tabled a motion calling on parliament to recognise “island communities require different solutions to the central belt”.
Health Secretary Shona Robison responded that the government’s commitment to Orkney and Shetland was “unrivalled”.
The SNP’s manifesto committed the party to a review of the number of health boards across Scotland, which currently sits at 14.
Some sources have suggested “radical” changes could see that number drop to five or even three.
Speaking in advance of today’s debate, Mr McArthur said: “Centralisation of public services has been relentless over recent years. Invariably, this has been at the expense of local services and local accountability.
“Now, the SNP government plans to review the number and structure of health boards across Scotland.
“People in the northern isles will be understandably concerned that this triggers a further loss of local control over delivery of key services.
“A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works for island communities.
“Health and care provision in Orkney and Shetland presents particular challenges and often requires different solutions. There are also considerable additional costs to providing these services in island communities.”
Mr MacArthur added that patient care “will not be improved by centralising decisions”, which was why he has raised the matter in parliament.
But Ms Robison insisted any changes would be designed to improve services across the board.
She said: “As was set out in the programme for government, we will begin work in this parliament to examine the number, structure and regulation of health boards, as well as their relationship with local authorities, so that we can reduce bureaucracy and remove any barriers to effective patient care.
“This is about supporting excellent patient care and protecting front line services, not change for its own sake.
“This review has not yet begun, but our commitment to Scotland’s island communities is unrivalled and any final proposals will be consistent with our aim to ensure their unique needs are reflected.”