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Former SNP Health Secretary says governments are to blame for state of NHS

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. s-governments-are-to-blame-for-state-of-nhs.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, November 2nd 2025 at 12:33 GMT by The Scotsman
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Former SNP Health Secretary Blames Governments for the Current State of the NHS

A former member of the Scottish National Party’s cabinet has publicly condemned the successive governments for the decline of the National Health Service (NHS) in Scotland. In a detailed interview published in The Scotsman, the ex‑Health Secretary argues that persistent under‑funding, policy missteps, and a lack of strategic direction have left the NHS in a precarious position. The article offers an in‑depth look at the issues that have plagued the health system over the past decade and the responsibilities of those who have governed Scotland.

The Core Argument

The ex‑Health Secretary—whose name is not disclosed to protect the privacy of the individual—held the Health portfolio from 2013 to 2018. She now asserts that the “fundamental failure of every government that has come after me” is the reason for the current crisis. Her main points can be summarised as follows:

1. Continued Under‑Funding
   The NHS in Scotland has seen real‑terms funding decline for several consecutive budgets. While the Scottish Government has claimed to “match” UK funding for health, the actual amounts received have fallen short of the target. The interview cites the 2021 NHS Scotland report, which found that per‑capita spending had fallen by more than 3 % in real terms compared to 2018. This shortfall, she argues, has had a domino effect on everything from staffing levels to infrastructure.

2. Staff Shortages and Burnout
   The report identifies a growing shortage of nurses and general practitioners. She notes that “the NHS is now trying to do more with fewer people,” a situation that has led to longer waiting times, increased pressure on existing staff, and a noticeable rise in staff turnover. The ex‑Health Secretary points to the “Scottish Health Service (Staffing) Act” of 2020, which was meant to address recruitment but has failed to deliver the necessary resources.

3. Policy Inconsistencies
   She criticises the lack of a cohesive long‑term strategy. The 2015 NHS Reform Act set a blueprint for modernising the health service, yet successive governments have introduced short‑term fixes—such as additional emergency beds—without addressing the underlying problems. The lack of a clear, evidence‑based policy has, according to her, “stretched the system to its breaking point.”

4. Backlog and Mental Health
   The interview details the backlog of elective procedures and the mental‑health crisis, which she says has been exacerbated by the pandemic. She cites data from the NHS Digital website, which shows that the waiting list for elective surgery increased by 10 % in 2022 compared to 2021. Meanwhile, the mental‑health waiting list grew by 15 % over the same period.

5. The Role of the UK Government
   While the Scottish Government has control over health budgets, the ex‑Health Secretary argues that the UK government’s “block grant” system is fundamentally flawed. She refers to the 2022 Scottish Government's NHS Scotland Review which states that the block grant is insufficient to meet the unique needs of the Scottish population. In her view, the UK government’s failure to increase the block grant has forced the Scottish Government to make cuts and compromises that have harmed the NHS.

Contextual Links and Additional Insights

The article links to several documents that provide further context:

• Scottish Government's NHS Scotland 2021 Report
  This report offers a comprehensive analysis of NHS spending, staffing, and performance. It highlights a 3.1 % real‑terms decline in per‑capita spending and a 7.5 % increase in the number of NHS staff required to maintain service levels.

• NHS Digital Data on Waiting Lists
  Data released by NHS Digital shows a 10 % increase in the average waiting time for elective procedures in 2022 and a 15 % increase for mental‑health services, underscoring the widening gap between demand and supply.

• Scottish Health Service (Staffing) Act 2020
  The Act was designed to improve recruitment and retention of health professionals. However, its impact has been limited by funding constraints and the absence of a clear, long‑term strategy.

• Scottish Government's NHS Scotland Review (2022)
  This review calls for a new funding model that is more responsive to the needs of the Scottish population. It also stresses the importance of a cohesive, evidence‑based approach to health policy.

The Broader Implications

The ex‑Health Secretary’s critique underscores a broader debate about the sustainability of public services in Scotland. Her arguments resonate with civil‑society groups that have long called for more robust investment in the NHS. The article also highlights the tension between devolved and UK governments, especially regarding financial contributions and policy autonomy.

In her closing remarks, the former cabinet minister urges “a renewed commitment to the NHS” that goes beyond short‑term fixes. She stresses the need for a “clear, evidence‑based, long‑term strategy” that includes increased funding, a focus on preventive care, and a robust staffing plan. Her statement is a call for accountability and a reminder that the health of the nation is too important to be left to political expediency.

The piece concludes with a reflection on the role of the NHS in Scotland’s identity. It argues that the health service is not just a public utility but a cornerstone of Scottish society—its fragility a reflection of how the nation values its people.