Catastrophic failure

Two-speed health service embedded, says doctors union after report reveals crisis across the country

-  VIVIENNE AITKEN

A DAMNING report has highlighted the "catastrophic failure" of the Scottish Government to remobilise the NHS after the pandemic.

Today Audit Scotland publishes its report into Scotland's NHS and warns the government's failure to get to grips with the service after the Covid lockdowns was "impacting staff, patient experience and patient safety".

The report said that while activity in hospitals and in secondary care had increased in the last year, it remained "below pre-pandemic levels and is being outpaced by demand" and was creating operational challenges throughout the whole system.

Labour's health spokeswoman, Jackie Baillie, said last night: "This report lays bare the SNP government's catastrophic failure to remobilise our NHS following the pandemic - with patients paying the price.

"Audit Scotland reveals this government's lack of overall vision' for the future delivery of healthcare in Scotland.

"As our A&E departments overheat and almost one in six Scots languish on waiting lists, the cancellation of all infrastructure projects threatens to fan the flames of the NHS crisis.

"The fact is that the very existence of our NHS is at risk under the SNP." The Audit Scotland report said the Scottish Government needs to develop a "clear national strategy for health and social care to address the pressures on services".

The auditors added: "Significant changes are needed to ensure the financial sustainability of Scotland's health service. Growing demand, operational challenges and increasing costs have added to the financial pressures the NHS was already facing.