Fife MSP calls for NHS review led by patients and staff

A full scale review of Scotland’s NHS should take place and be led by patients and health professionals, according to a Scottish Labour deputy leadership contender.

Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley has urged the Scottish Parliament to set up a root and branch examination of where services are failing the Scottish people.

He wants hearings in every part of the country on how the NHS is meeting the needs of the people, with an investigation into how spending on the National Health Service has risen slower in Scotland than in England.

According to the Institute for Fiscal Studies, Scottish health spending rose by roughly 1% between 2009/10 and the current financial year, while English health spending rose by 6% in real terms.

Mr Rowley said: “We have gone from one crisis to another in the NHS, with shortages of GPs, social care is in crisis, new hospitals not functioning well, long waiting times and patients being denied vital services they need.”

Mr Rowley added that he has “raised issue after issue with NHS Fife on behalf of constituents” and is “aware of many concerns from staff within the NHS” about their hours and workload.