Wednesday June 22nd 2016
Alison Johnstone, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, today (Wednesday) echoed the warning from Dr Peter Bennie, chair of the BMA in Scotland, that the NHS in Scotland does not have enough funding over the next five years to provide all the services people need.
Alison said:
“Dr Bennie is right to highlight the impact of our ageing population, with complex care needs, and the pressure on doctors to meet demand. He’s right to describe the government response to the GP recruitment crisis as inadequate, as far too many people now find it almost impossible to access a doctor.
“Scottish Ministers should also heed Dr Bennie’s comment that clinicians do not feel they’re being involved in plans to deliver change. I have again raised with ministers their pledge of £200million for elective surgery centres and again been told there are no details. The chairman of the BMA today makes clear that there was no consultation with clinicians prior to the First Minister’s announcement at her party conference last autumn.
“Scotland can meet the challenge of a health service and care system in increasing demand but the funding gap identified by those on the frontline must be properly addressed. Scottish Ministers have committed to real terms funding increases and Greens will hold them to that.
“By investing upfront in preventative measures and realising we have the power to use progressive taxation to raise funding in a fairer way, we can deliver a healthier Scotland.”
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