John Swinney’s 'panic' over the state of NHS in Scotland 'is no answer' says East Kilbride MP

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Scottish Labour MP for East Kilbride and Strathaven Joani Reid has blasted John Swinney’s claim to have taken personal control over health policy in Scotland.The First Minister has taken an increasingly hands-on approach to the health brief and his Government’s response to Scotland’s crisis-hit NHS, with Labour saying Health Secretary Neil Gray has been "sidelined" since late last year.

Experts warn the NHS is at breaking point, with demand for care soaring and staffing levels at breaking point. Over 800,000 Scots are on waiting lists and nearly 1700 people waited over twelve hours in A+E over Christmas.

The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Mr Swinney is now in charge of weekly meetings with NHS leaders including Gray and health service chiefs.

But East Kilbride MP Joani Reid has claimed John Swinney’s "panic" over the state of NHS in Scotland “is no answer”.“The First Minister seems to have just discovered what the rest of us have known for months or even years: under SNP rule the NHS in Scotland is in deep and dangerous decline", said Ms Reid.“But his panicked decision to sideline his health minister and take personal charge is no answer, because it is no change in direction.“The tough decisions the UK Labour government have taken mean there is real money in the hands of Scottish government to