Scotland’s NHS was once the envy of the world.
Other countries looked on jealously as we received high-quality care in well funded hospitals, free at the point of use. Fourteen years of Tory austerity means our public services have been battered.
Now we’re getting by with equipment almost 30 years old in our hospitals. New figures today show that most health boards in Scotland are using X-ray machines and scanners that are too old.
It is widely accepted they should be replaced every 10 years, but much of our NHS equipment is much older than that. In the Budget, Labour opened up the coffers for the NHS and gave the Scottish Government a huge spending boost.
It is vital that the SNP spends this money to get our NHS back on a sure footing with decent equipment. Our NHS has the best doctors and nurses in the world, with a reputation for innovation and high standards. But they are held back by a lack of resources.
Because of this poor state of affairs, many Scots are deciding to go private rather than face unbearable waits for treatment. But this means we are sliding into a two-tier healthcare system – where the rich pay for better equipment and quicker treatment.
No private hospital will have an X-ray machine which is 27 years old. It will have the best of equipment with new scanners bought on a regular basis. You should not have to pay for private healthcare just to be treated with up-to-date gear.
It is time for the Scottish Government to step up and use its increased budget to make our NHS the best again.
March for Sarra
Sarra Hoy has spoken movingly about her trauma after she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis three months after husband Chris was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Sir Chris has vowed to try to raise awareness of prostate cancer after his diagnosis, campaigning for better screening for middle-aged men.
Now Sarra is trying to improve the mental health of the nation by promoting a bid to get us walking more. Today she will appear on ITV’s Lorraine show to boost the Scottish presenter’s March4March campaign.
Olympic hero Chris and Sarra have endured an unthinkable double blow and have terrible worries about what the future holds for their family. But Sarra has bravely declared that she and her husband will be not be defined as victims. And they will both live their lives striving to do their best. Sarra and Chris truly are Scottish heroes and an inspiration to the whole country.