Cole-Hamilton responds to poll that one in five know someone going private

Responding to an opinion poll commissioned by BBC Scotland showing that one in five people said they or a family member had paid for private healthcare in the past twelve months, and that three quarters of them would have preferred to use the NHS, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and health spokesperson Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:  

“Scotland’s healthcare system is cascading into crisis after crisis. It is shameful that so many are having to fork out on private healthcare or go abroad to seek treatment, even although they might barely be able to afford it.  

“The lack of action from the Health Secretary is an insult to every patient waiting in pain and begs the question of what he would do differently as First Minister.  

"Humza Yousaf cannot continue opposing Scottish Liberal Democrat proposals for a Burnout Prevention Strategy and a Health and Social Care Staff Assembly. These pragmatic measures would ensure the recruitment and retention of NHS staff and get patients the care they need.”