NHS in Scotland 'stuck in analogue age' as health boards shell out millions on pagers
Scotland's NHS is " stuck in an analogue age" after it was revealed that health boards have shelled out millions of pounds on pagers in recent years.
The devices were widely used in the 1980s and 1990s for instant communication before being replaced long ago by smartphones.
Scottish Labour said the continued reliance on the devices proved the SNP Government was failing to equip the NHS for the 21st century.
Data obtained by the party found health boards had spent at least £4,596,608 on pagers since 2018/19, with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spending almost £1.8 million and NHS Lothian spending close to £1 million.
But the total figure is expected to be higher as some health boards failed to respond to a freedom of information request.
Spending on pagers increased in at least seven health boards, while rising by 8 percent overall between 2018/19 and 2024/25.Scottish Labour is now calling for improvements to hospital WiFi to reduce reliance on outdated technology like pagers and improve service delivery.
At least 13 fax machines — used for sending messages instantly before emails — are still in use in Scottish hospitals.
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman, said: "The UK Labour government is setting out a blueprint for NHS England's digital future, but the SNP, Scotland's NHS is still stuck in an analogue age.
"The SNP has been in power for as long as the iPhone has existed, yet all analogue John has invented is excuses. Getting reliable WiFi in Scottish hospitals is the bare minimum the Scottish Government should do to bring our NHS into the 21 st century.
"While English patients will soon be able to book appointments by app, the SNP can only promise a pilot for dermatology appointments in Lanarkshire.
"Only Scottish Labour can take our NHS out of the SNP's analogue age — that's the new direction Scotland needs."
It comes after Wes Streeting last week branded John Swinney an "analogue politician". The UK Health Secretary took a swipe at the First Minister as plans were announced to expand the NHS app available for patients in England. The Scottish version has yet to launch.
Streeting said: "The UK Labour government is embracing technology to deliver a better NHS for patients and their families, giving them more control and transparency over their treatment.
"In John Swinney the SNP have an analogue politician in a digital age and patients in Scotland are missing out. The SNP have record funding and complete control of the NHS in Scotland.
"There are no excuses for [not having an app in place] and it just shows why Scotland can't afford a third decade of the SNP."
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'This spend of £4.6 million since 2018/19 must be seen in the context of an NHS budget that was more than £100 billion over the same period.
'While innovation and use of digital technology is essential to ensure the health and social care system's long-term sustainability, health boards should deploy the technology that enables NHS staff to best serve the needs of patients.
"We expect health boards to embrace the latest tools, but also understand that pagers may be more practical and preferred in some cases.
'We have already taken significant steps through our Operational Improvement Plan and Health and Social Care Service Renewal Framework to set out clear actions to harness digital innovation, improve access to treatment, shift the balance of care into the community and strengthen prevention.'
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