SNP not to blame for lack of consultants

Sir,

Keith Abendroth (Letters, December 1) is angry that his wife has to wait so long for an appointment with a consultant. He wants action this day, and he blames the SNP government at Holyrood because he can’t have it.

Is it the SNP’s fault that there aren’t more consultants available?

According to several sources, ranging from BMA Scotland to the Guardian newspaper, it would appear that it takes a doctor an average of 15 to 20 years between graduation and finally becoming a consultant, depending on specialism (some, such as orthopaedics, appear to take longer).

That would suggest that whoever was in charge of the Scottish NHS 15 to 20 years ago is to blame for there being too few consultants today. Since they have only been in power 10 years, that can’t have been the SNP.

Mr Abendroth points to some shorter waiting times in NHS England and I don’t dispute that such examples exist. On average, however, it is well established that the situation in Scotland is better than in England. In fact, only last week the online edition of the Daily Mirror headlined English waiting times increasing dramatically.

I genuinely hope Mrs Abendroth will see a consultant soon. I wish her well in her treatment and trust the outcome for her will be as successful as it was for me.

William Crossan, Campbeltown.