The announcement of extra funding for NHS Forth Valley has been welcomed today as a clear demonstration of the SNP’s commitment to ensuring Scotland’s NHS gets the resources it needs.

Health Secretary Shona Robison today announced that NHS Forth Valley will receive an extra £2 million in 2015/16 to help with the rising cost pressures facing the NHS.

In total the uplift for NHS Forth Valley for next year now stands at £11 million.

Commenting, SNP MSP for Falkirk West Michael Matheson said:

“This announcement of an extra £2 million for NHS Forth Valley will be welcome news for patients throughout the area.

“In all it brings the total amount of additional funding for NHS Forth Valley announced for next year to £11 million.

“Advances in technology and the development of new medicines make an incredible difference to the treatment of patients, but often there are rising costs that come with such developments.

“The increased funding announced today will help to address those increased pressures and ensure that patients in Forth Valley receive the best healthcare possible.

“The SNP is the only party that can be trusted to protect the NHS. Yesterday Ed Miliband highlighted that, like Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, he is prepared to continue the public spending cuts we have suffered with the Tories. We already know Scottish Labour’s new Chief of Staff is in favour of privatising the NHS to deliver £20bn of cuts to public spending.

“In stark contrast, this funding announcement shows the SNP’s determination to ensure that Scotland’s NHS has the resources it needs and underlines that it is only the SNP who will always stand up for Scotland health service.”