Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has written to SNP Leader of Perth & Kinross Council, Cllr Ian Millar to call on the Council to back the campaign to save the emergency surgery unit at Perth Royal Infirmary. Liz Smith Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said: “I hope then that the message from all elected politicians in Perthshire will be a united one; that NHS Tayside needs to think again and that they withdraw their plans to cut the emergency surgery unit at Perth Royal Infirmary. “I am becoming increasing concerned that NHS Tayside and the SNP Scottish Government are not looking at the needs of residents across Perth & Kinross and looking to the future population projections when allocating resources and designing health services. “Scottish Conservatives believes that NHS Tayside’s proposals to shut the emergency surgery unit at PRI are deeply flawed and illogical. The population in Perthshire & Kinross-shire has increased by 7% since 2001 and projections show the population is set to increase by 27% in the period 2008-2033, so on what basis is the downgrade of the emergency surgery unit taking place. “I am still strongly of the opinion that NHS Tayside have not taken into account the population changes which are occurring in Tayside and that if they are they would not be seeking to down grade services at Perth Royal Infirmary. “It is vital that NHS Tayside take into account the views of local people and future health priorities are taken into account and that any major service changes are always based on improving clinical outcomes. “I have written to the SNP Leader of Perth & Kinross Council, Councillor Ian Miller, to ask for the Council to make representations to NHS Tayside to oppose the loss of emergency surgery at PRI.”