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NHS Scotland

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf's NHS Scotland recovery plan has been criticised in an Audit Scotland report

Improving NHS Scotland is proving “extremely difficult"

The Scottish Parliament building. Picture: Getty Images
The Scottish Parliament building. Picture: Getty Images

Strategy recommends 3.5% pay increase for public sector workers

Edinburgh during recent snowy weather (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)
Edinburgh during recent snowy weather (Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images)

NHS Scotland: A&E waiting times and Covid-19 surged during cold snap

Ellis Beardsmore (they/them), trainee psychotherapist and co-founder of Pride Outside
Ellis Beardsmore (they/them), trainee psychotherapist and co-founder of Pride Outside

Go on a journey from confusion to inclusion - Ellis Beardsmore

A snap survey of BMA Scotland junior doctors revealed nearly half (44 per cent) have actively researched leaving the NHS in the last 12 months. Picture by Getty
A snap survey of BMA Scotland junior doctors revealed nearly half (44 per cent) have actively researched leaving the NHS in the last 12 months. Picture by Getty

NHS Scotland: Health service facing 'mass exodus' of doctors

According to the latest Public Health Scotland data, just 65.3 per cent of the 97,659 patient attendances at Scottish emergency departments in January were seen within the Scottish Government’s target of four hours.
According to the latest Public Health Scotland data, just 65.3 per cent of the 97,659 patient attendances at Scottish emergency departments in January were seen within the Scottish Government’s target of four hours.

Estimated 64 patients die each month due to 'dangerously long waiting times'

Each GP surgery has had an average of 153 extra patients since 2019/20, further impacting the severe pressure being experienced across NHS Scotland
Each GP surgery has had an average of 153 extra patients since 2019/20, further impacting the severe pressure being experienced across NHS Scotland

GP patient list sizes grow as number of surgeries dwindles

The number of unfilled vacancies for NHS consultants is higher than the Scottish Government suggests (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
The number of unfilled vacancies for NHS consultants is higher than the Scottish Government suggests (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Healthcare system in Scotland is on the brink of collapse – Simon Barker

From left: Michelle Lownie of Eden Scott and Loral Quinn of CodeClan. Picture: Killian McAleese.
From left: Michelle Lownie of Eden Scott and Loral Quinn of CodeClan. Picture: Killian McAleese.

Digital skills academy CodeClan and recruiter Eden Scott join forces

Accident-and-emergency figures for Scottish hospitals have improved. Picture: John Devlin
Accident-and-emergency figures for Scottish hospitals have improved. Picture: John Devlin

A&E departments show improvement against waiting times targets

Former UK health secretary Sajid Javid has suggested patients be charged for visiting GPs or A&E departments (Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP)
Former UK health secretary Sajid Javid has suggested patients be charged for visiting GPs or A&E departments (Picture: Justin Tallis/AFP)

Readers' Letters: Javid’s ideas on future of NHS are worrying

In Scotland there is a severe shortage of care placements and hospitals are operating above capacity. Picture: Jeff Moore/PA Wire
In Scotland there is a severe shortage of care placements and hospitals are operating above capacity. Picture: Jeff Moore/PA Wire

Care homes could free up hospital beds 'tomorrow' with more funding

Former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown. Picture: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images
Former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown. Picture: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

Brown warns NHS 'won't cope' unless inequalities closed

Health secretary Humza Yousaf. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA
Health secretary Humza Yousaf. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA

Fewer than six in ten people seen in four hours at A&E departments

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a press conference on winter pressures in the NHS, at St Andrews House in Edinburgh. Picture: PA
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a press conference on winter pressures in the NHS, at St Andrews House in Edinburgh. Picture: PA

Sturgeon claims 'slight easing' of pressures as calls to NHS24 service reduced

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: Peter Summers/Getty Images
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: Peter Summers/Getty Images

Sturgeon will take 'every possible step' as recruitment concerns raised

Fire boat response crews battle the blazing remnants of the off shore oil rig Deepwater Horizon in 2010. The explosion killed 11 workers and polluted the coastline from Louisiana to Florida
Fire boat response crews battle the blazing remnants of the off shore oil rig Deepwater Horizon in 2010. The explosion killed 11 workers and polluted the coastline from Louisiana to Florida

Readers' Letters: Fossil fuel extraction is more damaging than wind power

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on Wednesday apologised to patients as it announced a pause to non-urgent elective procedures
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde on Wednesday apologised to patients as it announced a pause to non-urgent elective procedures

Scotland’s largest health board pauses non-urgent elective care

Dr Andrew Buist from the British Medical Association has warned of 'doctor-light' GP surgeries in deprived parts of Scotland. Picture: PA
Dr Andrew Buist from the British Medical Association has warned of 'doctor-light' GP surgeries in deprived parts of Scotland. Picture: PA

Deprived areas will see fewer GPs as health gap widens, warns BMA

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a press conference on winter pressures in the NHS, at St Andrews House in Edinburgh.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a press conference on winter pressures in the NHS, at St Andrews House in Edinburgh.

NHS Covid staff told how to claim benefits during Sturgeon press conference

Sheila Hall of the group Care Home Relatives Scotland said the announcement that £8 million will be spent buying 300 beds in care homes for patients to be discharged into had been a 'bit of a bolt out the blue to us'. Picture: Getty Images
Sheila Hall of the group Care Home Relatives Scotland said the announcement that £8 million will be spent buying 300 beds in care homes for patients to be discharged into had been a 'bit of a bolt out the blue to us'. Picture: Getty Images

Families of care homes 'terrified' plans could lead to visiting bans

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the St Andrew's House briefing. Picture: Wattie Cheung
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at the St Andrew's House briefing. Picture: Wattie Cheung

Healthcare bosses cast doubts on Scottish Government's NHS rescue plans

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: Wattie Cheung
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. Picture: Wattie Cheung

Sturgeon says she has never used private healthcare

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a press conference on winter pressures in the NHS. Picture: Russell Cheyne/PA Wire
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon during a press conference on winter pressures in the NHS. Picture: Russell Cheyne/PA Wire

Analysis: A grim flashback to depths of Covid as Sturgeon takes to the podium

Nicola Sturgeon speaks from St Andrew's House. Picture: BBC
Nicola Sturgeon speaks from St Andrew's House. Picture: BBC

Sturgeon: More NHS 24 staff will be recruited and extra care home beds freed up

A poll has suggested voters are unhappy with the SNP's performance running public services
A poll has suggested voters are unhappy with the SNP's performance running public services

Public believe SNP are running public services poorly, poll suggests

Humza Yousaf admitted patients are not receiving the care he would personally want to receive in the NHS in Scotland.
Humza Yousaf admitted patients are not receiving the care he would personally want to receive in the NHS in Scotland.

Patients 'are not safe in Scotland's A&Es' as Yousaf defends winter planning

Call in the army to help NHS through 'winter crisis' - Scottish Labour

GP practices in part of Scotland are to open on Saturdays to help relieve pressure on the NHS during the current “extremely challenging period”.
GP practices in part of Scotland are to open on Saturdays to help relieve pressure on the NHS during the current “extremely challenging period”.

GP surgeries to open on Saturdays to ease pressure on other NHS services

The NHS is under unprecedented pressure. Picture: Getty Images
The NHS is under unprecedented pressure. Picture: Getty Images

Vaccination set to be cancelled as unions weigh up coordinating strikes

A passenger on a bus on Princess Street wears a face mask at the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
A passenger on a bus on Princess Street wears a face mask at the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Leitch encourages face masks and staying away from work if ill to help NHS

Scotland's A&E departments experienced a record week for waiting times in the lead-up to Christmas. Picture: Lisa Ferguson
Scotland's A&E departments experienced a record week for waiting times in the lead-up to Christmas. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Almost 2,000 patients spend half a day or more in A&E before Christmas

The Gender Reform Bill has divided opinion across Scotland
The Gender Reform Bill has divided opinion across Scotland

Scotland on Sunday readers' letters

The Scottish Exchequer has had to pay out a significant amount in settlement payments this year.
The Scottish Exchequer has had to pay out a significant amount in settlement payments this year.

Cash paid out for public sector settlements and NDAs doubles in a year

Staff on a NHS hospital ward, as nurses and midwives were forced to take more than 225,000 days off because of mental health issues in the last year
Staff on a NHS hospital ward, as nurses and midwives were forced to take more than 225,000 days off because of mental health issues in the last year

Working conditions and low pay are causing nurses to call in sick, says union

An NHS worker cares for a patient with Covid in intensive care (Picture: Neil Hall/pool/AFP via Getty Images)
An NHS worker cares for a patient with Covid in intensive care (Picture: Neil Hall/pool/AFP via Getty Images)

We need to have a national conversation about NHS crisis – Dr Iain Kennedy

The head of the BMA has said the NHS is "broken" in Scotland and will not be able to survive in its current form
The head of the BMA has said the NHS is "broken" in Scotland and will not be able to survive in its current form

NHS Scotland winter crisis: Staff 'are on their knees' warns doctors' union

Health secretary Humza Yousaf is coming under mounting political pressure over A&E times. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA
Health secretary Humza Yousaf is coming under mounting political pressure over A&E times. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA

Pressure mounts on health secretary amid anger over A&E waiting times

Health secretary Humza Yousaf said he remained committed to "meaningful dialogue" with NHS unions. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA
Health secretary Humza Yousaf said he remained committed to "meaningful dialogue" with NHS unions. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA

Unions express anger at Scottish Government plan to implement rejected pay deal

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has every right to be angry over state of NHS (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty)
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has every right to be angry over state of NHS (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty)

Sturgeon's 'faux anger' jibe at Labour over NHS crisis was tone deaf – Scotsman

Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital

NHS Scotland has 'enough doctor vacancies to staff a large hospital'

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf agreed a deal with the unions on Monday.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf agreed a deal with the unions on Monday.

SNP say ‘no stone unturned’ to find deal as Unite and Unison call off strikes

A junior doctor speaks to an elderly patient
A junior doctor speaks to an elderly patient

Scottish junior doctors set for vote on strike action

NHS staff should be paid fairly and given a reasonable work-life balance (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA)
NHS staff should be paid fairly and given a reasonable work-life balance (Picture: Peter Byrne/PA)

We need to look after NHS staff, so they can look after us – Joseph Anderson

A nurse helps an elderly patient. Picture: Getty Images
A nurse helps an elderly patient. Picture: Getty Images

Nursing vacancies “at heart” of looming NHS Scotland winter crisis

Graham Watson, executive chair at InnoScot Health, hopes to see positive progress in ophthalmology to serve thousands of patients in need. Picture: Martin Shields.
Graham Watson, executive chair at InnoScot Health, hopes to see positive progress in ophthalmology to serve thousands of patients in need. Picture: Martin Shields.

Innovative ophthalmic solutions key for tackling pandemic backlog - comment

Humza Yousaf, the health secretary, is facing pressure over the performance of the health service.
Humza Yousaf, the health secretary, is facing pressure over the performance of the health service.

Serious NHS Scotland compensation payouts quadruple in a year, accounts show

Angry GPs have gathered in Clydebank for an annual conference
Angry GPs have gathered in Clydebank for an annual conference

NHS crisis: Mild mannered doctors are becoming radical firebrands

Health secretary Humza Yousaf on a visit to Forth Valley Royal Hospital. Picture: Michael Gillen
Health secretary Humza Yousaf on a visit to Forth Valley Royal Hospital. Picture: Michael Gillen

What does 'health board escalation' mean for NHS Forth Valley?

The Royal College of Nursing balloted all of its UK members for strike action for the first time in its 106-year history. Picture: Lisa Ferguson
The Royal College of Nursing balloted all of its UK members for strike action for the first time in its 106-year history. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

One in five healthcare workers are using foodbanks to survive

A new pay offer has been tabled
A new pay offer has been tabled

New 'best and final' pay offer to NHS Scotland health workers

Health secretary Humza Yousaf on a visit to Forth Valley Royal Hospital. Picture: Michael Gillen
Health secretary Humza Yousaf on a visit to Forth Valley Royal Hospital. Picture: Michael Gillen

Health secretary comes under fire as health board comes under government control

Nicola Sturgeon and Health Secretary Humza Yousaf are failing the NHS (Picture: Andy Buchanan/pool/AFP via Getty Images)
Nicola Sturgeon and Health Secretary Humza Yousaf are failing the NHS (Picture: Andy Buchanan/pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Chickens come home to roost for Yes campaign’s NHS lies – Murdo Fraser

Health secretary Humza Yousaf with radiographer Steven Townsend (left) and medical director Chris McKenna (centre) in the CT suite during a visit to the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS) at the NHS Fife Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Health secretary Humza Yousaf with radiographer Steven Townsend (left) and medical director Chris McKenna (centre) in the CT suite during a visit to the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS) at the NHS Fife Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

NHS Scotland: Leaked document highlights the continued march of privatisation

Health secretary Humza Yousaf during a visit to the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS) at the NHS Fife Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. Picture Jane Barlow/PA Wire
Health secretary Humza Yousaf during a visit to the Rapid Cancer Diagnostic Service (RCDS) at the NHS Fife Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. Picture Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Scotland is 'sleepwalking into a two-tier NHS', warn senior medics

The accident and emergency department at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Picture: John Devlin
The accident and emergency department at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Picture: John Devlin

Scottish Government would 'never contemplate' charging for NHS

The Scotsman Top Stories

Humza Yousaf speaks after being elected as new SNP party leader
Humza Yousaf speaks after being elected as new SNP party leader

Humza Yousaf faces ‘full in-tray’ as half of Scots think country on wrong path

Polling expert Sir John Curtice. Picture: John Devlin
Polling expert Sir John Curtice. Picture: John Devlin

Curtice says Labour can win 10 Scottish seats at election after Yousaf's win

Humza Yousaf pictured after being elected as the new SNP party leader (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Humza Yousaf pictured after being elected as the new SNP party leader (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Why unionists should not celebrate Yousaf's election as SNP leader