Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife has called on NHS Tayside to start listening and scrap plans to cut emergency surgery from Perth Royal Infirmary. The Perthshire based MSP has been leading the campaign to save emergency surgery at Perth Royal Infirmary. Speaking following the urgent meeting with NHS Tayside and Perthshire and Kinross-shire elected representatives. Liz Smith Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland & Fife said: “Perth Royal Infirmary is one of the greatest assets for the local community. The dedicated and professional staff who work at PRI provide first class health services for their patients, including many who come from the rural communities and whose journeys are already long enough without having to travel the additional twenty miles to Ninewells. “Local people are clear that they want to see Perth Royal Infirmary as their primary hospital – that is a position which NHS Tayside has arguably been undermining over many years. People have seen the maternity ward disappear from PRI as well as paediatrics, pathology, and weekend surgery. It is not surprising that there is such public anger about the latest plans to further cut emergency surgery. “I hope the NHS Tayside will start to listen to the many people who have outlined their opposition to the proposal to cut emergency surgery from Perth Royal Infirmary, particularly those medical practitioners who have made their views so strongly known in recent months. “Scottish Conservatives will resist any moves to centralise health services and will fight to keep health care local.”