NHS: Crunch Debate

The state of the NHS will be placed under the microscope during a debate at Holyrood today.

Figures recently revealed that A&E waiting time targets are being missed, patient treatment is being delayed by up to four weeks and the number of bed days is up.

Expenditure on locum doctors in Fife has also increased by 56% since 2009.

Scottish Labour's Health spokesperson, Neil Findlay MSP, said: 

"On nearly every measurable statistic Scotland's NHS is getting worse. Accident and Emergency waiting times are being missed in nearly every health board despite the Scottish Government cutting the target. 

2Because our health and social care systems aren't working together, patients aren’t being discharged when they are clinically ready to go home. Last year over four hundred thousand bed days were occupied by patients with no medical need to be there, costing the taxpayer and the NHS £78million. 

"A recent survey by the BMA shows that the Scottish Government's own statistics about the shortage of specialist doctors were inaccurate, and the Royal College of Nursing has said that 55% of nurses feel that the pressure they work under affects the level of care they are able to give. Staff in our NHS deserve better than this. 

"With the added pressures of winter coming, serious questions need to be asked about the state of our NHS. However, from the SNP and Shona Robison all we get is complacency.

"The Scottish Government has a simple choice. They can vote to start the Beveridge 21 process -  and begin the root and branch review that will make our healthcare system fit for the 21st century - or they can ignore evidence and watch as the crisis in our NHS deepens. 

"That choice is Nicola Sturgeon's to make"