SCOTLAND LEADING THE WAY AS ONLY PART OF UK TO OFFER UNIVERSAL FREE EYE TESTS A record number of people in Scotland received free NHS eye examinations in 2024/25 – including 177,013 in NHS Ayrshire and Arran - thanks to Scotland being the only nation in the UK offering universal free eye tests under the SNP... Continue Reading →
14 YEARS OF FREE PRESCRIPTIONS UNDER THE SNP GOVERNMENT
9,172,880 PRESCRIPTIONS DISPENSED BY NHS AYRSHIRE AND ARRAN LAST YEAR - SAVING HOUSEHOLDS AN AVERAGE OF OVER £400 On the 14th anniversary of prescription charges being scrapped by the SNP Scottish Government, Ruth Maguire MSP has highlighted that the policy saves the average household in Scotland over £400 a year. Latest figures from the Scottish... Continue Reading →
Evidence Led Routine Testing of Health and Social Care Staff is Essential
Ruth Maguire MSP has called for evidence led routine Covid testing for Scotland’s health and social care workers. The SNP MSP for Cunninghame South gave her backing for staff working in the healthcare sector to be given access to routine testing while speaking in the Scottish Parliament in a debate on the subject. It was... Continue Reading →
No ‘DWP Style’ Disability Assessments Under New Scottish Social Security System
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed confirmation from the Scottish Government that there will be no DWP style assessments to access disability assistance under the new Scottish social security system. Decisions will be made using information gathered through the applications process including from health care providers Should more detail be required to make decisions on an... Continue Reading →
Extra Funding to Help Health and Social Care Services in North Ayrshire Respond to Pandemic
Health and social care services in North Ayrshire are to receive an additional £38 million from the SNP Government to support the local response to the Coronavirus pandemic and prepare for winter. The extra funding has been allocated to help local services meet COVID-19 related costs such as additional staffing or sickness expenditure, enhanced infection... Continue Reading →
Expansion of Video GP Appointments Welcomed By Patients and Clinicians
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed the positive feedback from patients and medical clinicians on the expansion of virtual medical and mental health appointments following the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, according to a survey. Of 5,400 responses to the survey, 87 per cent of the public backed video consultations while 94 per cent of clinicians favoured a... Continue Reading →
Community Optometrists to Support Eye Care Services
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed a new plan which will see patients with chronic eye conditions now able to be assessed by community optometrists. This plan as part is supported by £3 million in funding. There has been limited capacity to see all patients with chronic and sight-threatening conditions due to changes in hospital services... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Welcomes Plans for Gradual Resumption of NHS Services
Ruth Maguire MSP has welcomed news that NHS Scotland will begin to resume services which have been suspended, delayed or deferred due to the Covid-19 outbreak. NHS Ayrshire and Arran have begun preparations to gradually resume elective procedures while continuing to protect urgent, emergency and maternity care. Over the coming weeks, limited clinical procedures will... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP Backs Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal
Ruth Maguire MSP lent her support to Marie Curie’s big fundraising appeal month, the Great Daffodil Appeal, speaking at a debate in Scottish Parliament. Marie Curie supported over 7,500 people in Scotland last year through their hospices, nursing care and support services. In West Scotland last year, Marie Curie Nurses made over 6,800 visits... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire Gives Support to Chronic Illness Charity
Ruth Maguire MSP gave her support to an awareness campaign by the British Lymphology Society in the Scottish Parliament this week. The BLS’ hosted an exhibition inside the Scottish Parliament to raise awareness of Lymphoedema, a chronic condition which causes swelling, skin and tissue changes in addition to a predisposition to infection. It most commonly... Continue Reading →
Ruth Maguire MSP (SNP) 