Fraser: Tough times ahead for our NHS and we must support it as best we can

Audit Scotland has published its overview of the financial performance of the NHS in Scotland 2009/10.

Murdo Fraser MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing, said:

"Our NHS bodies deserve recognition for meeting all their targets, as we struggle to get to grips with Labour's debt legacy. However, we can do more and must not be complacent.

"Scottish Conservatives are committed to protecting the health budget, but we want to find efficiencies and divert funds to frontline services.

"There are other ways of freeing up money for better resourced frontline services – for example we want to see more Health Boards moving from brand name drugs to generic drugs, which would save a fortune. Also, Audit Scotland reports this year have made perfectly clear that we can make substantial efficiency savings without jeopardising our vital frontline services, such as cutting 15% off the locum budget through better planning and procurement. And gimmicks like free prescriptions for the wealthy are simply not affordable and must be scrapped.

"Efficiency savings should not be made at the expense of frontline posts. There are tough times ahead for our NHS and we must support it as best we can."

Back to all posts