Swinney to announce additional 150,000 NHS appointments and procedures per year
Swinney to announce additional 150,000 NHS appointments and procedures per year
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The First Minister is to announce better access to NHS treatment as the Scottish Government commits to “a substantial increase” in capacity. Later on Monday, John Swinney is expected to announce an expansion of primary care services, enhanced use of digital innovations, and a range of other measures that will help the NHS in Scotland.
In a meeting with representatives from the health and social care sector at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Mr Swinney, joined by Health Secretary Neil Gray, will announce an additional 150,000 appointments and procedures per year. He will also announce more investment in primary care in an effort to make it easier for people to get an appointment with their GP.
Mr Swinney is expected to say: “Protecting, strengthening, renewing our NHS – that is a goal I think we can all get behind. A real focus of common purpose. That requires action from me, as First Minister, from my Health Secretary Neil Gray, and from my government.
“We can offer the leadership and direction – as the measures outlined today seek to do. So, today, we commit to a substantial increase in capacity in order to significantly reduce people’s waits. “Our plan will ensure that a greater proportion of new NHS investment goes to primary and community care. GPs and services in the community will have the resources they need to play a greater role in our health system.
“This increased investment will result in GP services that are easier for people to access. That is important in terms of people’s confidence in the health service – but equally, it will make it more likely that health issues are picked up quickly and dealt with earlier.”.
