Move to charge patients 'unacceptable'

Any move to charge patients for hospital stays or visits to their doctor would be "simply unacceptable", SNP Lothians MSP and former Wester Hailes GP Ian McKee has said.

Professor David Bell, adviser to the Scottish Parliament's finance committee, warned last week that such drastic measures may be needed to deal with Draconian budget cuts.

But Dr McKee said the SNP would ensure the NHS remained free at the point of need.

He said: "Not only does this go against the priorities and values of the NHS, but putting hotel-type charges on hospital stays would put the wrong people off from coming to hospital and risks people leaving hospital before they are ready."