A campaigning gran has accused the SNP of ignoring her calls for free dental treatment for cancer patients – before launching their own free dental care policy in their manifesto.
Mags Devlin is “absolutely furious” with the Scottish Government after it failed to support her petition for free care last year.
The 63-year-old, who was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2019, said: “If they can do it now they could have done it six months ago.”
Mags, from East Kilbride, had an operation to remove the cancer but after her first session of chemotherapy, her teeth were badly affected and had to be removed.
She said: “My teeth weren’t bad because of neglect or decay, it was because of the chemo.”
She started a petition calling for cancer patients to get free treatment and Labour MSP Monica Lennon backed the call.
Joe FitzPatrick, who was fired as public health minister over the drugs death debacle, did not back the policy when he was asked about it last year, merely saying: “Some patients may be entitled to help with health costs under the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).”
Mags was shocked to see First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announce the abolition of NHS dentistry costs as part of the SNP manifesto.
She said: “I’m absolutely furious they are passing this off as an SNP initiative.
“I’m delighted they are going to do it but they didn’t even mention all my campaigning. It’s just another electioneering gimmick.”
Lennon said: “The promise of free NHS dental care for all is welcome.
“However, you have to wonder why the SNP have waited until an election to do this when they could have helped the most vulnerable during their time in government.”
SNP candidate Emma Harper said: “The policy plan has been under consideration for some time. I’m delighted to recognise the campaigning efforts of Mags Devlin.”
