The Scottish Liberal Democrats have demanded the SNP explain their “confused” pledge on a life-saving trauma centre for Aberdeen.
Nicola Sturgeon’s party’s manifesto says that the Granite City will be “utilised” as part of a “network” of trauma centres across the country.
But the Liberal Democrats’ Aberdeenshire East candidate, Christine Jardine, said that commitment was “confused” and that people “deserve to know” whether a centre will be specifically set up at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
In 2014, the SNP’s then Health Secretary Alex Neill announced a trauma centre would be built in the Granite City, as well as Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow, by the end of this year.
But current Health Secretary Shona Robison has since rowed back on that pledge, claiming top doctors disagree on whether such a facility would be viable in Aberdeen.
The SNP’s Aberdeenshire East candidate, Gillian Martin, said her party’s position was “absolutely clear”.
But Ms Jardine said: “If someone was trying to create confusion over the situation they couldn’t have done a better job.
“It’s almost as if they either don’t know or don’t want to say what the final plan will be.
“The original suggestion of four would be welcomed, but two centres both in the central belt could, the medical professionals have warned, have serious consequences for Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
“This is an important issue for people who are deciding how to vote and they deserve to know what the SNP is actually saying.
“We’ve made it clear we want to increase investment in the NHS and said exactly how, including doubling spend on mental health services for children and young people, more money for primary care, and more GPs.
“Its time the SNP came clean about what they are planning.”
Ms Jardine’s comments echo those of Labour’s Aberdeen Central candidate, Lewis Macdonald, who said the SNP’s commitment was merely “spin” which confirmed the Granite City would merely be part of a “network” rather than have a life-saving centre of its own.
But the SNP’s Ms Martin said the Liberal Democrat’s offered nothing but “cheap political points”.
She added: “Our manifesto makes absolutely clear that Aberdeen Royal Infirmary will be a key part of our plans for a major trauma network in Scotland.
“Lib Dem attempts to confuse people on the issue are nothing more than an attempt to distract from their own flagging campaign and their complete lack of any positive vision for the north-east.
“Not only are we committed to a major trauma network and a new elective treatment centre in Aberdeen but we will increase the NHS budget by £500million more than inflation by the end of the next parliament – without shifting the burden of austerity onto the backs of those who can least afford it, as the Lib Dems propose.”