The fourth in our election series, the Scottish Conservatives have launched a manifesto that promises to help the NHS ‘rebuild and recover’ from the ‘most challenging period in its history’.

Health service funding

An overall annual funding increase of at least £2bn by 2025-26 is promised by the Conservatives. The manifesto says a ‘double lock’ would be introduced to guarantee the NHS would increase by Barnett consequentials or 2% above inflation – whichever is highest – each year of the next Parliament.

To tackle the significant patient backlog built up during covid, an extra £600m is promised for 2021-22.

The party says a ‘major clinician-led prioritisation exercise’ is needed to assess who should be treated first, alongside seven-day-a-week outpatient appointments and elective surgery.

Alcohol, drugs & smoking

An ‘ambitious’ new strategy is needed to achieve the 2034 target of reducing smoking to 5% of the adult population, according to the manifesto that pledges maintenance of funding for cessation and prevention services.

When it comes to Scotland’s record high drug deaths, the Conservatives say they would ask the Drugs Deaths Taskforce to publish a review of drug treatment and recovery service provision before 2022.

Similarly, when it comes to alcohol, a review of services is needed, the party states, as part of a bid to ensure ‘prevention, early identification and intervention’ are prioritised.

Cancer

Amid warnings about the number cancers that will have gone undiagnosed since covid hit, the document outlines plans for an updated cancer strategy, including a national cancer genomic testing pilot.

Local healthcare

A ‘presumption against centralisation’ is pledged by the Conservatives, as well as a local healthcare guarantee, in response to what it describes as ‘years of neglect of local health services by the SNP’.

The party promises to replace the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh and restore consultant-led maternity services at Elgin’s Dr Gray’s hospital.

There is also a promise to review health board funding formulas to ensure ‘local needs’ are recognised.

Mental health

Faced with ‘immense challenges’ that have not yet reached their peak in Scotland, mental health care must be ‘revolutionised’, according to the manifesto. Mental health services are promised a funding increase to 10% of the frontline health budget over the course of the next Parliament at the same time as a ‘permanent shift’ to community mental health services driven by the expansion of things like cognitive-behavioural therapy and exercise referral schemes made available through ‘community triage centres’ that would offer support for those with mild to moderate mental health problems within six weeks.

A self-harm strategy is promised, as well as an update to the suicide action plan. 

Primary care

GPs are promised at least 11% of the overall NHS budget by the end of the next parliament under a Conservative government, boosted by a roll out of Community Link Workers and social prescribing.

Meanwhile, in pharmacy more independent prescribers would be trained to absorb some of the patient demand that would otherwise arrive at the door of GPs, and pharmacists are promised full access to patients’ records and IT systems linked to wider health and care services.

Palliative care

A new national plan is needed, according to the Conservatives, for palliative care. The party says it will provide families with emotional and practical support by supporting the Bereavement Charter for Scotland and maintain funding for children’s hospices.

Public health

To help heal the ‘sick man of Europe’, the Conservatives state a cross-portfolio approach is what is needed to address the health inequalities that mar Scotland.

Awareness-raising campaigns around healthy habits, exercise and diet are among the pledges, as well as free school meals and breakfast clubs for all primary school children.

More green spaces, piloting giving public sector workers dedicated exercise breaks, and increased spending on active travel and community leisure facilities are also promised.

No firm figures are offered, but the party pledges to fully implement free personal care for under 65s – Frank’s law – and to review the expansion of post diagnostic support for people with dementia as well as invest in dementia research.

Social care

Included under the umbrella section of the manifesto on ‘Supporting our NHS’, the party’s stance on social care includes commissioning an urgent inquiry into the handling of care homes during covid-19. A roadmap for the full return of care home visiting is also promised.

Preparing the sector for an ageing population is key, according to the document, which finds common ground with the Feeley review of adult social care in several areas. National employment conditions for social care staff are needed, it states, as is ‘viewing the social care system as equal to the NHS’.

The Feeley review’s recommendation to move responsibility for delivering care away from councils and into the hands of Integration Joint Boards provoked “grave concerns” from local authority representative body COSLA – fears the Conservative party says it shares. Putting IJBs in charge would be unnecessary, the document states, given that ‘local authorities are best able to deliver high-quality person-centred social care’.

Technology

Promising to ride the technology-enabled-care wave generated by the pandemic, the manifesto cites the importance of technology in monitoring long term health conditions like COPD and diabetes, and maintaining independence while reducing hospital admissions.

Unpaid carers

The ‘backbone of our social care system’, the Conservatives say they would work to reopen respite services and to ‘fully fund and implement’ existing carers legislation, alongside developing a new action plan for young carers.

A commitment is made to reduce the penalty paid by carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance who exceed the limit on earnings, and to extend payments of the allowance for up to six months after a recipient’s caring responsibilities end because of a bereavement.

Workforce

After the Scottish government’s latest offer of a 4% pay rise, the Conservative manifesto provides no figures but promises to work on a new multi-year pay deal with Agenda for Change staff in the NHS, doctors and dentists.

Staff wellbeing would receive a £40m investment in things like rest facilities and mental health support, while those nearing retirement ‘should be offered opportunities to alter their roles instead of leaving.’

The UK and Scottish governments should also work together, the manifesto states, to address pension changes that some say could persuade more senior doctors to leave the NHS at a time when they are needed more than ever.

An increase in medical and nursing school training places, with priority given to Scottish domiciled students, is promised as one fix for long term recruitment issues, as well as more flexibility during the early stages of doctors’ careers.

 

Read more: Manifesto health check: the Lib Dems; Manifesto health check: the SNP; Manifesto health check: the Scottish Greens

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