An expert report from NHS Grampian has warned there is a “real risk” to patients if the north-east does not get the lifesaving trauma centre it was promised.
Concern is mounting that the SNP may ditch plans to build the unit at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in favour of the central belt.
A petition demanding the trauma centre be provided in the city has already attracted more than 2,300 signatures.
Senior doctors at NHS Grampian have warned the north-east risks being left with a “second-class service” if it is not provided.
Now a report by the Area Clinical Forum (ACF) – which represents the medical and allied professionals in the region – has claimed a U-turn would have a “negative impact” on “patient outcomes” as well as “the reputation and future” of the local health board.
Health Secretary Shona Robison claims the plans have been put on hold because senior clinicians have questioned whether the centre in Aberdeen would be viable.
But Scottish Labour’s Aberdeen Central candidate Lewis Macdonald said the ACF report showed the “SNP only listen to views they want to hear”.
He said: “Shona Robison told me in parliament in February that it was important to listen to the views of clinicians.
“But representatives of the Scottish Government consulted clinicians in Aberdeen last month and only asked them to comment on a two-centre model with major trauma centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
“Now it is time for the SNP to listen to the views of clinicians in Grampian, which could not be clearer.
“Their plans to provide major trauma centres only in the central belt should be abandoned, and the SNP should match Labour’s guarantee that Foresterhill will be one of Scotland’s future major trauma centres.
“If they fail to do so, people will be bound to conclude the SNP only listen to views they want to hear.”
The SNP announced plans to build the flagship facility in the north-east in 2014 – but have since stalled on the proposal.
Ms Robison has said “no final decisions” on the number of trauma centres had been made, while NHS Grampian said “work is ongoing” on the project.
The SNP’s candidate for Aberdeen Central, Kevin Stewart, dismissed any suggestion services were being centralised.
He told the Press and Journal: “This is total nonsense from Labour – who know full well that no decision has yet been reached and are clearly more interested in politicking with issues of substance than they are in supporting local healthcare in Grampian.
“The Scottish Government is developing a new major trauma network in which Aberdeen will play its part and I look forward to seeing what final decision is made on the shape of these services.”
The other candidates for Aberdeen Central are the Conservatives’ Tom Mason and the Liberal Democrats’ Ken McLeod.