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Motion · S6M-19548 · 4 Nov 2025

The Growing Tide of Ongoing Challenges Facing Rural Communities

Lodged by Finlay Carson (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party) Members' Business Motion 22 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament notes the reported ongoing challenges faced by rural communities, including those in Stranraer, Wigtownshire and across Dumfries and Galloway, in accessing timely and high-quality healthcare; believes that people in these areas often experience longer waits for GP appointments, hospital treatment and emergency services, compared with the national average; expresses particular concern about the reported current shortage of GPs in Wigtownshire, which is placing additional strain on practices and impacting patient care; acknowledges the additional pressures on NHS boards and staff in delivering care across large geographic areas; notes the view that every person, regardless of where they live, should have equal access to essential health services; further notes the calls on the Scottish Government to set out clear plans to tackle rural health inequalities, including measures to recruit and retain healthcare professionals, including what it sees as much-needed midwives and dentists, address GP shortages, improve ambulance response times and expand diagnostic and treatment capacity in Galloway Community Hospital and other community health hubs, and notes the calls for both an increased provision of community beds and step-down facilities to reduce delayed discharge and enable care closer to home, and for the Scottish Government to work with communities to ensure that future health policy reflects the needs of rural Scotland.

Supporters (22)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.