Accept UK offer for good of our health

WHENEVER SNP Ministers are criticised for the state of the NHS under their stewardship, they can be depended upon to reach for some obscure statistic or other showing the service in Scotland somehow outperforming its sister organisations in England and Wales.

There’s something rather pathetic about this approach – not least because the lengthy waiting times which continue to undermine the NHS in Scotland have been all but eradicated south of the Border.

Despite all their half-truths and desperate spin, SNP Ministers have mismanaged the health service to breaking point. Waiting time guarantees frequently go unmet and staff shortages pile pressure upon an NHS that can take no more.

So, the Scottish Government should welcome an offer from the UK Health Secretary, who proposes offering treatment in England to Scots on waiting lists. And Scottish Ministers should have the good grace to be embarrassed that the UK Government feels compelled to make this gesture.

The truth is there’s nothing to stop the SNP accepting Steve Barclay’s offer of assistance. The Nationalists frequently insist that, post-independence, Scotland and England would be the best of friends, neighbours with shared interests who would co-operate whenever appropriate.

Now would be an excellent time for them to show they can be trusted to work collaboratively with the UK Government if it is in the interests of the people of Scotland.

The SNP’s overarching story is that government at Westminster is incompetent and out of touch. But on issues including the eradication of waiting times, that caricature bears no relation to reality.

If SNP Ministers truly have the needs of Scots at heart, they’ll swallow their pride and welcome Mr Barclay’s readiness to help.