Cole-Hamilton: 1 in 7 Scots still waiting for NHS treatment

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today called on the Health Secretary Michael Matheson to avoid the "reckless approach" of his predecessor following the news that 1 in 7 Scots are on an NHS waiting list for the third quarter in a row.

According to the latest data from Public Health Scotland, 779,533 people are now on an NHS waiting list. This is an increase of more than 6,000 from last quarter, meaning that 1 in 7 Scots are still waiting.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“All signs point to an NHS writhing in crisis, yet there is no sign of this SNP/Green government doing anything to resolve it.  

“The Cabinet Secretary must be decisive and act now before things get any worse in the winter.

“Anything less is an insult to doctors, nurses and patients waiting in pain.  

"Scottish Liberal Democrats have repeatedly called for a burnout prevention strategy and a staff and social care assembly, but these have been ignored time and time again. We can only hope Michael Matheson does not take the same reckless approach as his predecessor.

“Staff and patients have been suffering for far too long to entertain yet more nonsense from this government. They deserve far better than this.”