Improving Scotland's NHS will be a top priority in the Scottish
Budget, First Minister has pledged.
Speaking ahead the publication of the Scottish budget on
Wednesday, the First Minister commented:
“All of us have used Scotland's National Health Service at
different points in our lives, and we all know what a precious
institution it is.
“Under this government, Scotland has had the best-performing core
Accident & Emergency Units in the UK for nine years, we have
more GPs per head than anywhere else in the UK and we have
prevented the disruption of strike action by settling fair pay
deals for frontline NHS workers.
“But we know that health services everywhere face huge pressure
in light of the COVID-19 pandemic – and ours is no exception.
“When I became First Minister, I made clear that one of my top
priorities was improving public services like the NHS. Since
then, I have thrown the weight of the Scottish Government behind
tackling some of the key challenges it faces – whether that is
increasing capacity in hospitals or making it easier for people
to see a GP.
“Our budget this week will be a budget which has improving the
NHS at its heart. We have listened carefully to suggestions from
patients and staff – as well as engaging constructively with
organisations and political parties across the parliament.
“I want to make progress on improving our NHS, but to do that,
Parliament must approve our Budget Bill in order to unlock
investment which will drive the long-term and lasting
improvements – and the healthier population - that we all want to
see.”
