SNP HEALTH ACHIEVEMENTS CONTRAST WITH DAMAGING TORY POLICY

For immediate use: Monday 17th January 2010


Attn: NEWSDESKS


HEALTH / POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS


TIME TO REMEMBER LABOUR’S APPALLING HEALTH LEGACY


As the UK Tory government announces damaging plans for the NHS south of the border former GP and Lothians MSP Dr Ian McKee said it only drew attention to the achievements of the SNP Government in improving Scotland’s health service.


Dr McKee said the achievements and improvements under Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon were also a timely reminder about Labour’s failure in office before 2007.

Under the SNP Government:


1. NHS waiting lists have improved since May 2007. The SNP Government has continuously achieved targets since 2008 with the abolition of hidden waiting lists in January 2008. Under Labour 35,000 patients languished on hidden waiting lists.


2. Bed blocking has been dramatically addressed. The number of delayed discharges in October 2006 was 678 compared to 128 in October 2010.


3. The costs of prescription charges has been dramatically reduced since 2007 with their complete abolition set to happen in April subject to parliamentary approval.


4. Plans to close accident and emergency services at Monklands and Ayr Hospitals have been reversed.


5. Cases of MRSA and C.diff infections, which were allowed to rise dramatically under Labour are at a record low, falling 40% in one year.


6. 400 additional dentists are now working across Scotland, and more doctors and nurses.


7. 10,000 extra weeks of respite care across Scotland are being delivered


8. Children’s cancer and neurosurgery units in Aberdeen, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh, and maternity services at Vale of Leven and Inverclyde have been secured.


9. Stopped Labour’s privatisation drive in Scotland.


10. Over £800 million is being invested in a new Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.


Commenting Dr McKee said:


“As the SNP’s record in office shows, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government is a bulwark against the damaging privatisation policies being announced by David Cameron for England today.

“The SNP Government’s achievements not only stand in stark contrast with what a UK Tory government would do but what the previous Labour-run Executive did before 2007.


“Then we saw Labour hide patients on secret lists to keep waiting times down, stood by as hospital infections increased, and put through closures of essential accident and emergency services.


“At the coming election Scotland’s voters and Scotland’s health service have a choice between an SNP Government that works with doctors, nurses and patients to deliver the best possible care, free to all and a Labour party whose record was one of failure and waste.”


ENDS