Gil Paterson hits back at Tory MSP's attack on NHS Scotland in Clydebank Post

TORY spin on Scotland’s NHS has been countered by Clydebank and Milngavie’s MSP.

Gil Paterson MSP responded to claims made by Jamie Greene MSP in the Clydebank Post on Wednesday, October 5.

The West of Scotland MSP provided a twisted argument on Scotland’s NHS, A&E waiting times and its funding, and demanded Scotland’s NHS should not be compared to Englands.

The statement was published as Mr Greene’s party vowed to get rid of foreign doctors from England’s NHS by 2025 — a move matching the Tories’ ramped up anti-migrant rhetoric throughout its conference this week.

Gil Paterson said: “It’s no wonder Jamie Greene doesn’t want to compare Scotland and England’s NHS. On every level he attacks us on, Scotland outperforms the Tory-run NHS England – including waiting times as he mentioned.

“Even while Scotland’s budget is hacked away at by the Tory government, we manage to secure investment across the whole of NHS Scotland, including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde which had a record investment of £2 billion.

“Jamie Greene has claimed there is a £69 million shortfall in NHSGGC’s budget – he is wittingly twisting the fact the health board has been asked to save this figure for vital frontline investment in the following financial year.

“In England, the Tories have vowed to be rid of foreign doctors and have engaged in relentless political warfare with junior doctors. The bludgeoning treatment of health workers in by Jamie Greene’s lords and masters in England is perhaps another reason why he does not wish to compare it with Scotland’s NHS.

“The Scottish Government fights tooth and nail to protect Scotland’s NHS from the constant cuts driven through by Jamie Greene’s Tory party in London. We do this successfully, and Scotland should be very proud of its magnificent health service.”

ENDS

Notes to reporter

SNP investment in NHSGGC:
·         Under this Government NHS Greater and Glasgow has a record high budget this year of over £2 billion, which has increased by over 27%.
·         In 2016/17, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde’s annual resource budget increased by 5.2% to a record high of £2,079.2 million - an above inflation increase, having previously increased by 2.7% in 2015/16.
·         Board receives £7.1 million (each year for 3 years from 2015/16) from the delayed discharge funding, announced by the Health Secretary on 20 January 2015
·         All Health Boards, including Glasgow & Clyde, are expected to make savings so to reinvest in their frontline services. £69 million in savings represents 3.3% of the Board’s resource budget for 2016/17.

Infrastructure projects:
·         Completed since May 2011
o   £21 million public capital - Vale of Leven Centre for Health and Care ( 2013)
o   £10.4 million public capital - Possilpark Health Centre (2013)
o   £18 million public capital- Glasgow Royal Infirmary University Tower Refurbishment (2013)
o   £842m pub capital – Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children (opened May 2015 – on time and budget)
o   £13.7 million - Maryhill Health Centre (2016)
o   £11 million – Eastwood Health and Care Centre (2016)
·         In progress (announced since May 2011)
o   £15 million - Gorbals Health Centre
o   £16 million - Woodside Health Centre
o   £38 million – New Health Centres for Greenock and Clydebank