NHS ‘dying before our eyes' as third of Scots go private

The Herald Scotland

4 hours ago

Out of all those who responded, 17% had accessed private medical care in the past two years and 14% said a member of their household had.
The majority (64%) of those who reported accessing private care for themselves or a member of their household said it was because the NHS waiting list was too long.
In a speech to the BMA's 2025 Annual Representative Meeting in Liverpool today, Dr Iain Kennedy will say it is 'abundantly clear' that there is now a divide in Scotland between those who can afford private healthcare and those 'languishing' on NHS waiting lists.
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He will warn that the situation is likely to only get worse, as 43% of respondents to the survey said they are now more likely to go private.
Dr Kennedy will point to a warning he issued last Christmas which said the health service would struggle to see out another year with its founding principles - including free at the point of delivery- remaining intact.
(Image: BMA) He is expected to say: 'Our NHS should be free at the point of need. But, through today's research, I can reveal that almost a third of Scots say either they or someone in their household have had to use private healthcare within the last two years. Our survey showed that the majority are forced to do so, as waiting lists are simply too long. They just can't get the timely care they need.
'And it will only get worse, because 43% of those surveyed feel they are now more likely to go private. It is abundantly clear that Scotland has been divided into those who can afford private healthcare and those languishing on ever longer NHS waiting lists.
'Now, I don't believe anyone made an active choice to pursue this path towards a private health service. Rather, it is a failure get to grips with an evolving population and its health needs. But, be in no doubt, the NHS is dying before our very eyes.'
In the latest survey, of those who accessed private care, 45% used personal savings and 20% said they had to cut back on leisure activities.
Another 9% had to cut back on essential items such as energy and groceries, while 9% had to borrow money to fund private treatment.
A total of 46% who did not use private care in the past two years said it was because they could not afford to and 43% said their likelihood of using private healthcare had significantly or somewhat increased in the past few years.
Out of all those who responded, 63% reported that their confidence in being able to access a timely hospital appointment through the NHS had significantly or somewhat decreased in the past few years, while 60% said the same for GP appointments.
During the BMA Annual Representative Meeting, Dr Kennedy will outline four key principles for NHS reform which include shifting the balance of care into the community, a workforce plan setting out how to recruit and retain doctors and other staff.
Dr Kennedy will also take aim at Scottish Minister's for 'largely ignoring' pleas made by the trade union.
He is expected to say: 'The chance to save our NHS remains. If we want to provide timely care to all, which is free at the point of need, then immediate action is required.
'We did ask the Scottish Government for a national conversation but were largely ignored. So, instead, NHS reform must now happen.'
He will add: 'The impact of the Scottish Government repeatedly ignoring the warnings made by the BMA and many others is clear. Patients are suffering, unable to access the care they need when they need it, or having to use their own hard-earned money to go private.
'Everyone knows it is unacceptable. That's why BMA Scotland will continue to shine a light on the dire state and worsening position of the Scottish NHS.
'And it's why we will go on fighting for our members, for our patients, and for a better future for Scotland's health service.'
Responding to the BMA warnings and findings, the Scottish Conservatives said Scots having to "raid their life savings" for private health care is "immoral" as they blamed the SNP for "chronic mismanagement" of the NHS.
Scottish Conservative health spokesperson Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: 'If BMA Scotland's devastating warning doesn't rouse failing SNP ministers, nothing will.
'Scotland's NHS is on life support thanks to 18 years of chronic mismanagement by the Nationalists.
'The fact that so many Scots are having to raid their life savings to go private for treatment isn't just unfair, it's immoral and at odds with the founding principles of our health service.
'The ability to access care should not be determined by the size of your bank balance.
'Neil Gray needs to get his head out of the sand and act now to save our NHS and prevent even more Scots being pushed into medical debt.
'The Scottish Conservatives have a plan to end this two-tier system by cutting bureaucracy and surging resources to the frontline.'
Scottish Labour named the recent findings that around a third of Scots are turning to private care a "scandal" and hit out at the SNP for taking a "wrecking ball" to the founding principles of the NHS.
Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie said 'This damning research shows the SNP has taken a wrecking ball to the founding principles of our NHS and left too many Scots without free and available healthcare in their hour of need.
'John Swinney must heed these stark warnings from those on the frontline of his NHS crisis.
'It is a scandal that so many Scots are spending their life savings or being plunged into debt to pay to get the care desperately they need.
'The truth is if the SNP had any answers we would have seen them by now – our NHS needs a change in direction and a change in government.'
The Scottish Government has invested £21.7 billion in health and social care this year, including £106 million to deliver over 150,000 additional appointments and procedures.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: 'We will always protect the founding principles of the NHS – publicly owned and free at the point of need.
'But we recognise some of the concerns raised by the BMA, and we are determined to deliver the reform our NHS needs to ensure it provides quality care for everyone who needs it now and into the future.
'The First Minister set out his plan to renew our health service by investing in prevention while harnessing technology to support earlier diagnosis and tailor medical treatment to individual patients.'