Rival parties slam SNP’s winter performance

Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs said Scotland was failing to meet the target of having half of all NHS workers vaccinated against the flu while in England almost two-thirds (63%) were vaccinated.

The Tory MSP said: “Nicola Sturgeon tried to put a gloss on the SNP’s response to the winter flu crisis this morning but failed to explain why so few NHS staff in Scotland have been inoculated.

“Last year, only 35% of healthcare workers were vaccinated against flu – below the target and well below figures elsewhere in the UK.

“The impact of this is devastating – it means doctors and nurses unable to come into work and patients suffering further delays as a result.”

Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar said an apology from the First Minister “just isn’t good enough for patients and NHS staff failed by the SNP Government this winter”.

He added: “These were not unforeseen circumstances. Our NHS faced a similar crisis last winter yet the SNP overtly failed to make the preparations necessary to avoid another winter meltdown.”

Alison Johnstone, the Scottish Greens health spokeswoman, said: “Winter is an increasingly challenging time for our overstretched NHS.

“When those we rely on to look after our health become unwell the consequences are serious.

“While emphasis on vaccination programmes is of course important, we have to remember that too many NHS staff are underpaid and under-resourced on an ongoing basis.

“This constant stress is causing many experienced professionals to leave the NHS and it’s also placing great demands on their health and wellbeing,” she added.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “To a patient stuck on a trolley waiting for treatment or an NHS staff member run off their feet, the First Minister’s comments are not nearly enough.

“We need to see the First Minister and the health secretary deliver a clear plan of action for addressing these winter woes.”

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Miles Briggs.