Protecting Our NHS

Better for Patients, Better for Staff

The SNP has directed record levels of investment to Scotland’s NHS and has overseen its recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Frontline spending has more than doubled under the SNP, and is the highest per person in the UK. We have the most GPs per head of the population, consistently the best performing core A&Es in the UK, and the only NHS workforce to avoid pay-related industrial action. Scotland is also the only part of the UK with free eye examinations for all and no dental fees for anyone under the age of 26.

The number of operations performed hit a five-year high last year, with £110 million additional investment to tackle waiting times expected to deliver more than 213,000 additional appointments and procedures over the year.

General Practice has received an initial additional investment of £15 million this past year to ease recruitment pressures and boost capacity, with the SNP additionally having committed to establish a network of walk-in GP clinics, to be open seven days a week, 12:00-20:00, in addition to existing primary care services.

The SNP Scottish Government has prioritised patients and staff alike, with staffing at a record high. Since the SNP took office, there are over 33,000 more doctors, nurses and other staff working in Scotland’s NHS – an increase of over 26%.

Moreover, these staff were provided with a pay deal ensuring that they continue to be the best paid in the UK.

Scotland’s NHS is one of our proudest national achievements. Founded on the principle that healthcare should be provided based on need, not profit, it stands as a testament to the values we hold dear – fairness, compassion, and equality.

But today those are values we constantly have to defend, often from choices being made at Westminster.

So long as Scotland remains under Westminster control, our health service will never be fully safe from the push towards privatisation. Under a Labour UK Government, we are witnessing the continuation of creeping privatisation.

The SNP will always oppose any attempts at the privatisation of Scotland’s NHS.