Sirs ,
Like many others I am somewhat bemused by Mr Urpeth's response (4th December) to my letter. The Audit Scotland report, which he claims to have read, says that NHS Scotland got £12.2 billion, last year. That is an increase of 2.7% above inflation, not a cut as he has claimed.
The NHS gets 40% of the total Scottish budget, yet Mr Urpeth tells us it should be more. This is considerably more than what Labour proposed in their manifesto which he supported. As for targets, new goals are set regularly, and current performances surpass by far the targets the SNP inherited from Labour. The Labour rhetoric on austerity does not match their actions, as they have campaigned and voted for it.
It is extremely sad that Mr Urpeth is trying to use the NHS to make political capital for his own agenda. If he is as fair as he would have us believe, why does he not give credit where credit is due? Record funding for the NHS with an increase well above inflation. People are living longer as a result of the NHS improved performance.
An example of NHS progress is that Glasgow is no longer seen as the sick man's capital of Europe. No one has ever claimed that there are not more improvements to be achieved. It is extremely difficult when money is wasted on Trident renewal, illegal wars and using Scottish money to upgrade the London infrastructure
Archie Harper
27 Shulishader
Isle of Lewis
Letter: NHS receives 40% of Scottish budget
7 December 2016