Gordon Brown in pre-Budget call over NHS ‘underfunding’

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has called for an independent review into the long-term future of the NHS in Scotland as he accused the Scottish Government of having "shortchanged" the service over the past decade.

Mr Brown claimed the SNP administration at Holyrood is more concerned about Scottish independence than with "worrying about our NHS", and said ministers are offering health funding growth that is half that seen in England.

He made the call ahead of the Scottish Government's Budget on December 12, which he described as an opportunity to "undo some of the damage".

The former Labour prime minister said: "Twenty years ago, as chancellor, I set up a review into NHS funding... We brought in people on a non-partisan basis to help us draw up a national plan based on the best use of new investment.

"Now we need a similar independent review into the long-term future of the Scottish NHS and, for the sake of five million patients and their long-suffering nursing and medical staff, we need it urgently."

Mr Brown said the NHS takes up around 40% of the Scottish Government's budget, but added: "No one will tell you that the NHS merits 40% of the Scottish Government's attention."

He said: "SNP ministers are far more likely to wake up in the morning planning for independence than worrying about our NHS.

"And the effects of this are now coming into sharp focus: for the past 10 years the SNP has shortchanged the Scottish NHS to the point that every winter, from now on, Scotland is likely to face a staffing and waiting list crisis."

The former prime minister said Scotland's health care spending, per person, has had to be higher than that south of the border because of issues such as remote practices and poor health in parts of the country.

"That's why, in 2007 – the year the SNP took power – Scottish health care spend was 16% higher per head than in England," he said.

"But after 10 years of SNP government it was, by last year only 7% more – which represents a cut in the real value of what was spent last year of nearly £1 billion."

Mr Brown pointed to figures showing that more than 3,000 nursing and midwifery posts, and hundreds of GP and consultant posts, remain unfilled and he highlighted what the Mental Health Foundation has called a "growing child mental health crisis".

He claimed Scottish ministers "are denying the NHS the money it needs".

"In all, they are offering the NHS a cash growth half as much as that of England – 3.5% cash growth per year as against 7% down south," he said.

The Scottish Government has been contacted for a response.