Conservative duo Edward Mountain and Struan Mackie have praised GP practices for “going the extra mile” in the Covid-19 vaccination programme.
Grantown-on-Spey held a mass vaccination clinic this week and the Thurso and Halkirk practice has organised to do the same this Saturday.
Edward Mountain, an MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said: “I wish to congratulate the GP surgeries in Grantown-on-Spey and Thurso and Halkirk for their exceptional diligence in carrying out vaccinations.
“I understand that both practices have gone the extra mile this week to reach out to the community and ensure a high take-up of the vaccine.
“Their efforts are helping the Highlands to be at the leading edge of vaccine delivery across Scotland.
“We must also recognise how important the personal contact of practice managers to members of the community has been.
“They have really helped to allay the concerns of those unsure about receiving the vaccine and have done everything they can to ensure that leftover vaccines are not unused at the end of the day by reaching out to other essential workers and the vulnerable.
“This is why I have always believed that local GPs are the right people to carry out vaccination programmes for our rural communities across the Highlands.”
Councillor Mackie, who represents Thurso and Northwest Caithness on Highland Council, is the Scottish Conservative and Unionist candidate for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross at this year's Holyrood elections.
He said: “The mass vaccination clinic organised in Thurso this weekend is the latest example of the dedication to deliver from the Thurso and Halkirk GP practice.
“The efforts undertaken by far north healthcare staff since the vaccines were approved have been monumental and demonstrate that GP-led initiatives like this are the very best way to ensure that the population can be vaccinated at pace.”