John Swinney accused of using NHS staff as ‘political shield’ following critical report

John Swinney has been accused of using NHS staff as a "political shield" following criticism of his government's record on health.

A report from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Scotland has today raised significant concerns over patient safety due to staffing pressures.

Nine in 10 nurses surveyed said patient safety is being compromised, with many admitting they had delivered care in overcrowded and unsuitable places.

Anas Sarwar, raising the report at FMQs, said there was now a “permanent crisis in the NHS on John Swinney's watch”.

He said the RCN report was the latest evidence that the SNP could not fix the health service.

The Scottish Labour leader added: “Last week I raised the case of Robert, a retired policeman from Lanarkshire, who spent 5.5 hours on the floor in A&E before he being given morphine and a bed. The first minister apologised – but as usual, he then used hard-working NHS staff as his political shield.

“Today the Royal College of Nursing has published a damning report that lays bare the important of the crisis on NHS patients and staff.”

The first minister apologised to any patients who had experienced "unsatisfactory" care in hospital, but blamed the issue on increased demand due to flu.

He highlighted thatthe RCN survey took place during a period in which hospital flu admissions were at their peak.

Swinney added: “I acknowledge the reality of the pressures, the intense pressures, on the National Health Service.

“We have expanded staff numbers, we have expanded consultant numbers, we have expanded capacity of NHS24… The government will still continue to take all of the steps necessary to make sure that our staff are as well-supported as they can be in dealing with the intense pressures.”

Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay also raised the RCN report, saying nurses were being "forced to quit in desperation and disgust".

He also said that patients were "suffering disgusting and degrading treatment" because the Scottish Government did not have a plan to fix it.