Majority of Scots Concerned About NHS Decline, Poll Reveals

The conference will feature several politicians, including Neil Gray, the Health Secretary. According to the poll, a substantial 93% of participants believe the NHS requires either “significant” or “moderate” reform.

Andrew Elder, president of the RCPE, commented on the findings, stating, “The college recognizes that under the current funding envelope, it is not possible to continue providing everything that modern healthcare can now offer, from ‘cradle to grave’.” He emphasized the necessity of discussing public funding increases or reevaluating what services can be provided under current financial constraints.

In response to the survey results, Chris Deerin, director of Enlighten, highlighted the opinions of those working in health and social care. He noted that professionals are increasingly reporting the system is stretched beyond capacity and overly complex. Deerin said, “We also know that the nation’s health is deteriorating, that inequalities are widening and that with an ageing population, demand for health and social care services can only grow.” The polling showed that service users are aware of these challenges and recognize that maintaining the status quo is not an option.

Opposition parties are also voicing concerns. Jackie Baillie, the Scottish Labour health spokeswoman, criticized the Scottish National Party (SNP) for what she described as a failure to uphold the founding principles of the NHS. “It’s no surprise people are worried about the state of our health service when one in six Scots are stuck on an NHS waiting list,” Baillie stated. She called for a comprehensive reform to ensure the NHS is prepared for future challenges.

In defense of the government’s actions, Neil Gray stated that 88% of people believe healthcare should remain free. He emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding the founding principles of the NHS, which he described as publicly owned and free at the point of need. “That’s why we are investing a record £21.7 billion in health and social care this year,” Gray added, detailing plans to target areas with long waiting times and tackle backlogs.

As part of this initiative, the government is allocating over £110 million specifically aimed at reducing long waiting periods, which is expected to deliver more than 213,000 additional procedures and appointments throughout the year. Gray pointed out that the NHS achieved a record number of hip and knee operations in the previous year, and noted that July 2023 recorded the highest number of operations since February 2020.

The poll results and subsequent discussions at the conference reflect growing public sentiment regarding the NHS’s future. The findings underline a pivotal moment for the Scottish healthcare system as it faces increased scrutiny and calls for significant reform.