NHS in danger

It is somewhat ironic to read that the BMA is warning against a two-tier health service (Scotsman, 22 November) when this trade union opposed the formation of the NHS in 1948 until such time as doctors and consultants were allowed to continue with private work. The NHS in England is way ahead of Scotland on increased privatisation and in 2021, for the first time since 1948, more orthopaedic activity, such as hip replacements, took place in private hospitals.

Rishi Sunak is registered with a private GP practice that guarantees all patients with urgent health concerns will be seen “on the day”. As Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt oversaw years of historically low funding increases (around one per cent, compared with an average of six per cent in the years between 1997 and 2010, and compared with the 4.3 per cent recommended by the OBR and independent health bodies

In July Sir Keir Starmer said “there is some private provision in the NHS and we’re likely to have to continue with that” while Labour’s shadow Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, said “the next Labour government may have to use private sector capacity to bring down NHS waiting lists”.

Earlier this month Health Foundation data showed that per head the UK spent £40 billion a year less on health than the EU average. This is the equivalent of £4bn a year less for Scotland’s much better performing NHS as part of the UK when, rather than years of recession, we could have the powers to match the economic growth of Denmark and Norway with the extra bonus of an even better health service. Why not Scotland?

MARY THOMAS

Edinburgh