In the build up to the 2014 independence referendum we heard a lot from the Nationalists about inequality in Scotland and how Westminster was to blame. We heard frequently about how life expectancy in deprived areas was far lower than in affluent neighbourhoods. The Nationalists were short on detail, but happily reassured Scots that independence was the answer.
Now, a year after the referendum, we find that the SNP Government provides GP practices in deprived areas with less funding than their colleagues providing healthcare to middle class Scots ("Postcode lottery hits GP surgeries in poorest areas", The Herald, November 30). The difference in funding equates to around 2,000 fewer appointment slots per year in each practice serving deprived communities.
In December 2012 it was reported that Audit Scotland had said "health inequalities were “long-standing and entrenched” throughout the country, and that “resources should be better targeted at those who require them most.” In the same report the BMA urged the SNP Government to "use the unique relationship that GPs have with their patients and in their communities to target healthcare to those who need it most".
Audit Scotland said it was unsure how much money NHS boards and councils were spending on the issue and what it was being spent on. Progress was not being measured as no targets had been set.
In response to this damming criticism the SNP established a "taskforce". Although this is welcome, it is clear that the most basic recommendation made by Audit Scotland has not been delivered three years later. Healthcare resources are not being targeted where they are needed most.
Yet again, it appears we have a government in Scotland which is long on rhetoric, but short on action.
Dr Scott Arthur,
27 Buckstone Gardens, Edinburgh.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel