Former SNP health secretary Michael Matheson has described Scottish First Minister John Swinney's proposals to reduce the number of NHS boards as "fool's gold," stating the plan will not improve patient outcomes.
Matheson's remarks come as A&E waiting times in Scotland reach their second-worst level on record. He told STV's Scotland Tonight that the idea that changing the number of health boards from 14 to two would improve patient care was misguided.
"If you think that changing the number of health boards from 14 to two is going to improve patients’ outcomes, then my view is that’s fool’s gold and it won’t deliver that for you," Matheson said. He added that while reforms in the health service must prioritize patient outcomes and that reducing health boards can assist, it is not a standalone solution.
Swinney announced the health board cuts as part of his Programme for Government, aiming for more joined-up delivery, improved access to care, and reduced inequality for patients. He also indicated a streamlining of Scotland's 32 councils and 135 quangos, though details on job cuts were not provided.
Scottish Conservative public service reform spokesman Murdo Fraser criticized Swinney's plans, suggesting they were "seriously unravelling" and that the First Minister lacked the backing of former colleagues due to insufficient detail. "Swinney cannot even get the backing of his former health secretary," Fraser stated.
Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Màiri McAllan indicated that public sector reforms could lead to the creation of new quangos, despite Swinney's vow of cuts. When questioned by Reform UK MSP Senga Beresford about the number of quangos that would be closed within her portfolio, McAllan stated she could not pre-empt the ongoing dialogue. She cited the example of Scottish Screen splitting from Creative Scotland as a positive development in public service reform that was not solely about reduction.
Public Health Scotland reported that 11,811 people waited longer than the four-hour target for A&E admission in the week ending August 30, representing 39 percent of patients. The only period with higher waiting times was mid-December 2022.
Health Secretary Angela Constance acknowledged that "the status quo cannot continue."