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Friday, March 29, 2024

Warning Over Westminster Threat to Scotland’s NHS

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Tory prescription charge plans an erosion of free health care.

The SNP today warns of the growing threat to our NHS posed by Boris Johnson’s Government after the Tories revealed plans to increase the number of people in England who will be forced to pay prescription charges.

The Westminster Government proposal would see the age at which someone in England is eligible for free prescriptions raised from 60 to 66, ending the entitlement to free treatment for many thousands more patients.

In contrast, prescription charges in Scotland are free to all – saving Scots more than £177 a year – and the SNP Scottish Government are further committed to scrapping NHS dental charges in Scotland in this parliamentary term.

The Tory plans have been branded ‘unacceptable’ by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and that they were ‘deeply concerned’ about the plans.

Commenting, SNP MSP Emma Harper said:

“This deeply alarming example of how the Tories will continue to erode the provision of free healthcare is a stark reminder of the risks of letting Westminster decide Scotland’s future.

“The SNP’s abolition of prescription charges in Scotland means everyone can access the vital medication they need without having to pay a penny.

“The SNP are also taking the next logical step by scrapping NHS dental charges too, keeping Scotland’s NHS truly free at the point of need.

“Health should not come at a price, yet these Tory proposals could leave thousands of people struggling or unable to afford medicines they need to stay healthy.

“The different directions of travel between the SNP Government at Holyrood and the Johnson Government at Westminster demonstrates the growing Tory threat to our NHS.

“Post Brexit, we’ve already seen the Tories take job-creating spending power away from the Scottish Parliament and ignored Scotland by leaving the NHS open to private corporations through trade deals.

“They simply can’t be trusted to protect Scotland’s NHS.

“The only way to keep Scotland safe is by becoming independent.”

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