Cole-Hamilton responds to winter planning statement

Speaking in the Scottish Parliament this afternoon in response to the Health Secretary’s statement on winter planning, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“The warnings from NHS workers are as bad as they have ever been. They are being put in a situation by the Scottish Government that is as desperate as it is dangerous.  

“The BMA says already exhausted staff find it, “demoralising” and “incredibly insulting” to listen to government assurances on staffing.

“The latest statistics bear this out with 5,600 vacancies in nursing and midwifery. Consultant vacancies are sky high.

“Any plan to recover the NHS, to tackle the horrendous waiting lists, to get people treatment will fall flat without enough staff.

“Does the Cabinet Secretary recognise that there simply aren’t enough to meet the challenge of the winter ahead?”