Record funding will transform engagement with health services.
People will get appointments quicker and receive treatment sooner
in Scotland's health service, as a result of the Scottish
Government's Budget.
The record £21 billion funding allocated to Health and Social
Care will help ensure the journey from diagnosis to treatment to
aftercare is as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
If approved by the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Budget
2025-26 aims to:
- enable patients to get treated faster by increasing
appointment capacity and cutting waiting times
- help people to live healthier lifestyles by supporting GPs to
deliver more services aimed at preventing illness
- transfer patients from hospital into more appropriate
settings quicker with an additional 600 Hospital at Home beds
- improve the availability of procedures where backlogs exist
such as hip replacements
- allow more people to be treated closer to home with more
resources in the community
Visiting the Linlithgow Medical Practice in West Lothian Health
Secretary emphasised the difference the
funding would make to patients:
“Most of the stories I hear about people's experience of the NHS
are positive, thanks to the dedication and empathy of health and
social care staff across the country.
“But I know some people are waiting too long and finding
appointments hard to come by. We want everyone to have a
positive experience of the NHS, so we have listened and are
taking action.
“By March 2026, no-one will wait longer than 12 months for a new
outpatient appointment, inpatient treatment or day case treatment
with more than 150,000 extra patients treated as a result.
“This Budget will also deliver an additional 600 Hospital at Home
Beds, helping people to get out of hospital when they are ready
and supporting them with the care they need at home whilst
freeing up capacity.
“I am determined that every penny of the record £21 billion
allocated to health and social care helps make each patient's
experience as smooth as possible at what can be a worrying time.
“We want to improve our NHS, but to do that Parliament must
approve our Budget Bill to unlock investment to drive long-term
and lasting improvements – and the healthier population that we
all want to see.”
