Former Scottish Health Secretary Jeanne Freeman has strongly criticized successive governments, including her own, for the current poor state of the NHS in Scotland. Freeman believes politicians fail to plan beyond the next election. This short-sighted view prevents necessary, long-term improvements to the health service.
The Political Problem
Freeman, who served from 2018 to 2021, told the BBC that politicians often prioritize staying in power. She said this focus means the “substance of issues can get lost.” She added that governments also fail to properly consult frontline staff. “Politics gets in the way of it,” she stated.
Her comments follow First Minister John Swinney’s recent acknowledgement. He admitted “some people have had to wait far too long” for treatment. Swinney has promised to make GP appointments easier to get. However, he warned there is no “shortcut” to reducing long NHS waiting times.
