Scottish Labour says it will deliver a revolution to renew the NHS across Scotland, with a National Clinical Council proposed to cut waiting times and improve outcomes for patients.

On the second day of its party conference, Scottish Labour is launching plans to help address the ‘crisis’ Scotland’s NHS is currently facing.

Jackie Baillie MSP will today announce the next phase of Labour’s plans to transform the NHS – placing clinicians front and centre of the service.

She says Scottish Labour will create a National Clinical Council responsible for advising ministers on service delivery, patient safety and workforce planning.

Ms Baillie said:

“Almost one in six Scots are on a waiting list, NHS vacancies are soaring and patients are being badly let down – this is shameful.

“That is why Scottish Labour will deliver a clinical revolution in our NHS that will put power into the hands of the clinicians.

“We will empower clinicians to lead the modernisation of the health service so that it is fit for the future.”

This statutory body sits “at the heart” of the party’s commitment to focus on patients.

Dr David Shackles, former Joint Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners said:

“A National Clinical Council would ensure that grassroots clinicians feel empowered and that their advice and perspective is considered in the planning and delivery of a modern and effective health system.”

Labour says it will empower clinicians to be “at the top table”, ensuring ministers are advised be the people who know what patients want and need.

As well as patients, the party wants clinical professionals to inform expert solutions to the NHS crisis and to deliver for staff.

Wilma Brown, Chair of the Unison Scotland Health Committee added:

“I welcome the announcement from Scottish Labour to ensure that the transformation of the NHS in Scotland will come from those who understand the required reform because they work at the front line of delivery. 

"A National Clinical Council constituted from the multi disciplined teams who care for and treat our citizens, which will bring advice and leadership is long overdue.”

Sarwar says reforms will modernise healthcare

Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar told delegates to the conference yesterday that he is “not willing to accept managed decline” and Labour will prioritise tackling poverty and transforming the NHS, adding:

“Scottish Labour will deliver a dedicated mental health worker in every GP surgery so that young people can access the help they need before it becomes a crisis.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to Labour’s proposal to reduce the number of NHS Scotland health boards to three, saying that Labour will ensure “clinicians’ voices are not silenced by health board bureaucrats.”

Mr Sarwar told attendees that Labour’s plans to scrap the non-dom tax loophole will free up £134m in Barnett funding every year for Scotland:

“I commit a future Scottish Labour government to investing every penny of that in our NHS to increase capacity and drive down waiting lists.”

Labour has pledged to ‘radically reform’ health boards by decentralising decision-making, improving transparency and accountability while bringing service delivery closer to communities and “ending the NHS’ top heavy bureaucratic culture”.

This comes after Scotland’s new health secretary, Neil Gray announced the Scottish government’s plans to reform the NHS are underway – with cabinet talks to commence in the coming weeks.

Alongside its pledge to empower frontline clinicians, Labour says it is focused on bringing Scotland’s NHS into the 21st century.

Mr Sarwar said that Labour will embrace tech at the heart of public services, outlining digital innovation, faster diagnosis and GP appointments as key priorities alongside empowering clinicians.

Commenting ahead of her speech to the conference today, Jackie Baillie added:

“Labour will tap into technological advancements so that you can get faster diagnosis, faster treatment, and better outcomes that will clear backlogs.

“Our NHS will only survive if we have the political desire to renew and reform the service so that it once more works for patients and staff – this is the change that Scottish Labour will deliver.”

Read more: Health secretary promises reform for NHS; Labour proposes move to three NHS boards; Government to launch ‘conversation’ on future NHS

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox and you can follow healthandcare.scot on Google News.