The future of Scotland’s NHS took centre stage as First Minister John Swinney vowed to breathe new life into the country’s cherished health service.
In a heartfelt visit to Newfield Medical Group in Dundee, Mr Swinney gave an early glimpse into the 2025-26 Programme for Government, promising concrete steps to ease access to GPs and cut waiting times.
The First Minister stressed that nothing matters more to the people of Scotland than knowing the NHS will be there when they need it most.
He spoke warmly about the 105,500 additional appointments and procedures that have already been delivered thanks to targeted investment aimed at relieving pressure on staff and patients alike.
While praising the dedication of NHS workers and acknowledging that many patients have excellent GP care, he didn’t shy away from what he called the “deep frustration” many feel about the so-called 8am appointment scramble.
This lottery-like rush to get a GP slot, he said, is simply not good enough, and his government is determined to fix it.
The upcoming Programme for Government, he assured, will focus on boosting capacity and reducing system pressure so that people can get the care they need without jumping through hoops.
He recalled his first days as First Minister, when concerns about the NHS were echoed loudly and clearly in communities up and down the country.
This new plan, he declared, is not just a set of promises but a serious, focused action plan to reset the path of the NHS and regain public trust.
Mr Swinney’s words were not just political pledges but carried the tone of someone who understands just how personal healthcare is to every family.
He also hinted at more detailed commitments to follow, aimed at building a more resilient, responsive, and compassionate health service for the long term.
The renewed push reflects both the scale of the challenges and a belief that Scotland’s NHS can still be the pride of the nation.
As thousands across the country continue to feel the strain of long waits and overstretched services, the message from Bute House is clear — help is on the way.
Mr Swinney’s visit to the Dundee surgery wasn’t just a photo opportunity, but a listening post where he heard directly from the people who rely on and run the service.
The upcoming Programme for Government is expected to offer tangible solutions rooted in those real-world conversations.
Scotland’s health service may have been tested in recent years, but the commitment to its renewal now feels anchored in both urgency and care.
