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Ex-Health Minister Calls Out Government for NHS Crisis Amid Waiting List Pledges
Ex-Health Minister John Swinney criticizes the Scottish Government for failing to tackle the NHS crisis, as waiting lists surge to nearly 629,000 individuals in Scotland.
- As of 30 September 2025, Public Health Scotland reported 628,696 people on waiting lists for the National Health Service, highlighting a severe healthcare backlog in Scotland.
- John Swinney, former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, asserts the Scottish Government has the solutions to reduce NHS waiting lists but has not acted on them.
- The First Minister of Scotland had previously pledged to improve access to GP appointments and reduce NHS waiting lists, raising concerns about accountability amid rising figures.
Why It Matters
The escalating NHS crisis in Scotland underscores a significant healthcare challenge, affecting nearly one in nine residents. This situation raises urgent questions about the efficacy of government promises and the overall health systems capacity to meet public needs.