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Last year, there were an estimated 818 excess deaths related to waiting times of 12 hours or longer in A&E. So it is understandable that patients in such a situation might start to get angry at the NHS staff around them. However, we should spare a thought for those doctors and nurses because some of them may be working shifts of up to 19 hours. According to new figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives, NHS Lothian, Grampian and Ayrshire and Arran had staff who had worked that long. Scottish Tories’ Shadow Health Secretary Dr Sandesh Gulhane, who still works as a GP, said: “SNP ministers have run our NHS into the ground – leaving frontline staff with no choice but to work marathon shifts to help their patients. Their commitment is extraordinary, but no one should be working 19-hour days. It’s unsafe for staff and dangerous for patients.” READ MORE: Former SNP Health Secretary says governments are to blame for state of NHS Only last week, the British Medical Association Scotland blamed increasing workloads for high absence rates, with more than 20,000 NHS staff taking time off for mental health reasons in 2024/25. It’s been clear for years that the NHS is struggling, and equally clear the SNP’s attempted reforms are failing. The problem is so great that simply throwing in extra money will not work. Instead, there needs to be a bold ‘whole society’ approach to tackling the NHS’s problems, in addition to efficiency savings and greater use of technology. READ MORE: NHS Lothian faces SNP intervention after damning 'culture of mistrust' report on Edinburgh Royal Infirmary It’s long past time for the ‘national conversation’ that health experts have been seeking about ways to improve the health service. We also need to place much greater emphasis on preventative measures such as encouraging a healthy diet and a more active lifestyle for all. If Scotland became a ‘sporting nation’, pressures on the NHS would ease. With the next Scottish Parliament election six months away, it is vital that we, the voters, make this a major issue. Otherwise, you may find yourself in hospital being treated by staff who are just as tired and angry as you are.
