Our NHS is in big trouble because of the SNP’S decisions
DAVID Crawford (Letters, October 15) writes regarding
NHS performance, simplistically blaming Westminster, asserting a worse NHS situation south of the Border, and stating insufficient taxes are returned to Scotland.
Public Health Scotland data reveals a 21 per cent pre-pandemic reduction in inpatient treatments delivered between 2013 and 2019, from 345,000 to 274,000, and consequential spiralling record waiting lists. Much of this is driven by reductions in hospital beds. Despite a growing population, outpatient treatments completed show a slight reduction over the same period, despite additional funding and increased staffing. Again this has contributed to record waiting lists.
Hospital delayed discharges grew to record levels as the pandemic hit in February 2020 with 1,616 beds blocked on average every day compared to a pro-rated England figure of 540, some three times less.
For key diagnostic tests, performance had plummeted to just 80 per cent completed within six weeks by the end of 2019 compared to 96% in England – a huge performance difference and in a vital NHS service. Drug deaths are nearly five times the England level, with funding for residential rehabilitation in Scotland having been cut to the bone. Historic Kings Fund reports found the NHS in England overall slightly outperformed the Scotland NHS.
Analysis by Kevin Hague of the These Islands think tank of Scotland’s national accounts 20/21 (GERS) shows Scotland generated £382 less tax per person than the UK average, and spending of £1,828 more per person. We spend more on everything, literally, so every pound of tax raised in Scotland generates a generous UK premium in return.
The 2021 IFS (Institute for Fiscal Studies) spending report states health spending in Scotland was “10% higher in 2009-10 and just 3% higher in 2019-20” than in England. That is the crux of the issue. It is principally that significant diversion of funding away from our NHS in the last decade by the SNP Government that has caused the NHS waiting times crisis.
Richard Richardson,
Glasgow.