Fears as majority of Scots think NHS worse now than 10 years ago

A MAJORITY of Scots believe the NHS is worse now than it was 10 years ago, a poll suggests.

- By Neil Pooran

Research for the think tank Enlighten found 71% agreed with the statement “the NHS in Scotland is worse now than it was 10 years ago”.

Meanwhile, 77% agreed with the statement: “If current trends continue, the NHS in Scotland will be worse in 10 years than it is today.”

Some 66% said the current model of the NHS is “no longer sustainable”.

Asked about the statement “private providers should play a bigger role in delivering NHS services” — more respondents agreed (50%) than disagreed (22%).

A total of 1,020 people were surveyed between October 5 and 15 as part of the Norstat panel.

It was released ahead of a conference at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE), hosted by Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and Enlighten.