Doctors say winter pressure on NHS highlights year-round problem

WINTER pressures on the health service have highlighted a lack of funding and solutions required to make the NHS sustainable in the long term, doctors have said.

Health boards across Scotland have been dealing with a surge in falls and fractures due to icy weather, and the doubling of flu rates in December compared to last year.

Increased admissions led to more people waiting longer to be seen at A&E over the festive period.

Meanwhile, ministers have praised staff for going “the extra mile” to ensure patient safety.

The British Medical Association (BMA) in Scotland said the situation should not be dismissed as “the inevitable increase in pressure that winter brings”.

BMA Scotland chairman Dr Peter Bennie said: “We have seen staff in NHS Scotland working incredibly hard, in extremely difficult circumstances over recent days, to deliver the care that people need.

“I’d like to add my gratitude to the many expressions of thanks that teams have received.

“But, to be honest, it is not thanks that doctors and their colleagues want. Instead of gratitude, we need a long-term, sustainable plan that closes the growing gap between resources -– in particular, finances - and the demand for services.

“And we must not simply dismiss this as the inevitable increase in pressure that winter brings.”

Dr Bennie said multiple targets, an ageing population and a gap in funding were stretching the system and the workforce “beyond their means”. He said: “In winter, that results in the type of rapid deterioration of services that we have seen over recent days. But over the rest of the year it means the ongoing eroding of standards, care and services.”

The organisation has called for more effective funding, less focus on targets and vacancies.

Dr Bennie added: “If we don’t take this kind of action, we risk not only another hugely challenging winter period next year, but an NHS simply unable to cope.”

Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “Health boards have worked to put in place robust winter contingency planning arrangements, which they’ve demonstrated in their response to exceptional winter pressures.”

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It is not thanks that doctors want. It’s a long-term plan