West of Scotland SNP MSP Stuart McMillan is opposing any proposals in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) to include the NHS.

West Dunbartonshire Labour representatives, Jackie Baillie MSP and Gemma Doyle MP, are calling on Prime Minister David Cameron to veto the inclusion of the NHS in TTIP.The UK government is currently negotiating TTIP with the United States.

Mr McMillan said: “I have recently received email correspondence from dozens and dozens of constituents who are concerned that TTIP will lead to the privatisation of their health service.

“Like them, I have genuine concerns regarding the proposals, specifically surrounding the health service.

“We are led to believe thatTTIP will remove trade barriers and make it easier to buy and sell goods and services between the European Union and United States.However, my constituents have genuine concerns that any agreement will allow investors from the United States to come in and ‘cherry pick’ the best bits of the NHS and privatise those services.” Ms Baillie added: “Our NHS is far too important to be put at risk by a trade agreement. It must be exempt from TTIP.That is why Ms Doyle and I have signed a joint statement calling for our NHS to be protected from TTIP.

“Jim Murphy has made it clear that Scottish Labour opposes American-style privatisation in our health service. It’s time for the other party leaders follow his lead and sign the people’s NHS pledge.”