ANTI-MONARCHY campaigners have said that King Charles and other royals should stay away from the NHS.
The call comes as Charles and Camilla visit the Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh to celebrate 75 years of the NHS at NHS Lothian, as part of the first so-called "Holyrood Week" since his coronation.
Campaigners claimed the engagement was “nothing more than PR for the royals” and that money spent on the visit could go towards the care and support of patients.
Speaking for anti-monarchy group Republic, CEO Graham Smith said: “The royals do not use or support the NHS. They spend more than £345m of public money a year, that’s enough to pay for 13,000 new nurses.
“The cost of the monarchy could pay for an inflation busting pay rise for 100,000 nurses.
“Royal visits always leave the hosts with a big bill. We understand the hospital has spent money on redecorating one corridor for the visit, money that could be spent on care and support for patients.
“This visit is nothing more than PR for the royals.”
A spokesperson for NHS Lothian said nothing was used that was “outside of our annual allocated maintenance budget”.
They added: “There are a number of events taking place throughout Lothian as part of the NHS 75 celebrations.
We have a routine programme of maintenance that takes place throughout the year including deep cleans, general repairs and touch ups.
A range of official NHS charities provided decorations and bunting for wards including the Medicine of the Elderly.
