Dr Marc Aitken

THE health service is arguably our most precious public service, but its function does not exist in isolation. Since its inception there has been a progressive expansion of social “safety nets” built around the health service which complement its function and echo a key founding principle; that we are all equal. One of the most recent developments in Scotland has been the introduction of the Baby Box, designed to provide some parity of opportunity in those first early weeks and months of life.

AS doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals we are expected to make evidence-based decisions – but the same standard does not seem to be expected of politicians.