SCOTLAND’S Health Secretary said there are “too many people waiting too long for treatment” in Scotland as she announced £70 million to cut NHS waiting times.
Jeane Freeman said the cash would help carry out more operations, such as hip and knee replacements and cataract procedures, and also increase diagnostic appointments. She pledged the 12-week waiting time targets in Scotland would not be scrapped.
The £70m for 2019/20 is part of the waiting times improvement plan announced in October 2018, and follows on from £27m allocated in 2018/19. The plan commits to £535m in frontline spending, as well as around £120m in capital, and also comprises the £200m for the elective and diagnostic treatment centres programme.
Freeman told delegates: “The challenge to meet this demand is faced across the UK but in England they look like they are simply abandoning their targets under their Tory Government.
“They give up. We don’t. I have no intention of abandoning those who are waiting too long, in pain and discomfort for the treatment they need.”
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