Think of a number and then half it.
That more or less summarises Labour's approach to cutting cancer waiting times.
They are all puffed up that their two week waiting policy is top of voters' agenda.
But Labour have a very poor record here. When they were last in charge of Scotland's NHS they promised to bring in a 62-day cancer treatment waiting time - but failed to do so in their entire time in office from 1999 to 2007.
What a difference a competent minister makes. Nicola Sturgeon met the 62 day target within a year of taking office. Then she went further, by bringing more patients into the target category. She then set a 31 day target which the NHS met a year ahead of schedule. She is now working towards the two week figure.
Labour's record on health is appalling and they just cannot be trusted with this or any other promise. For example:
When Labour ran the NHS... In March 2007 there were 32,000 outpatients waiting more than 12 weeks - under the SNP by 2011 this figure had fallen to 150.
When Labour ran the NHS...there were "hidden waiting lists". These were abolished by the SNP.
When Labour ran the NHS...it was impossible to find a dentist. The SNP opened a new dental school in Aberdeen to train more. Now 1 million more people have access to an NHS dentist.
When Labour ran the NHS...they wanted to close A&E units in Monklands and Ayr. The SNP kept them open along with other threatened local hospital services.
When Labour ran the NHS...it was being slowly privatised, with private firms building and owning hospitals under PFI. The SNP ended that scandal. They also ended Labour's other privatisation experiment by bringing Strathcathro hospital back into the NHS.
When Labour ran the NHS...prescription charges kept on rising even for the low paid with chronic conditions. The SNP has abolished prescription charges.
When Labour ran the NHS...superbugs were a serious problem. Since 2007 the SNP has cut the rate of the hospital acquired infections C. Diff and MRSA by 70%.
How was this achieved? By effective hands on management and a commitment to NHS founding principles. For example Sturgeon tripled the investment to tackle Hospital Acquired Infections and employed 1000 extra cleaners. She also established a tough inspectorate and maintained NHS spending in real terms. And she stopped health boards contracting out the work.
The SNP have promised to maintain health spending and plan to introduce an early detection system for cancer which could eventually save 300 lives a year. I have more faith in that promise than Labour's empty one. If they couldn't deliver before, why now? Is Gray's team vastly superior to that of Jack McConnell? I don't think anyone in Scotland believes that...
Important article.
Posted by: Stevie | April 14, 2011 at 07:31 PM
Straight and from the hip honesty! Great and to the point piece. SNP need to ram home these points in the days ahead to take on recent poll of polls trend!
Posted by: John O'Neill | April 13, 2011 at 11:05 PM
The shear lying hypocrisy of the labour bunch defies the logic of even a cursory reading of their past interventions and refusnik antics - who are they kidding - including themselves. Alice in bloody wonderland indeed!
Posted by: Barontorc | April 13, 2011 at 12:58 PM
I hope the SNP get this out on leaflets asap.I see it has landed at Blether with Brian. His guardians must have been at a policy briefing or something and missed the landing.
Posted by: Gavin C Barrie | April 12, 2011 at 10:24 PM
These terrible statistics from labours time in office and the positive difference 4 years of an SNP government and especially Nicola sturgeon has made will be getting repeated throughout my workplace.
I love the internet and how it has helped me to be able to spread a positive message of the effects of having a competent government in charge.
If it wasn't for blogs like yours, newsnet scotland and the like i would be a horribly ignorant to labours horrendous failings and the SNP's positive vision.
Thanks and good luck in Scotland South
Posted by: Steven Stewart | April 12, 2011 at 10:05 PM
Superb piece Joan that deserves the widest possible circulation.
Posted by: Ron Wilson | April 12, 2011 at 07:24 PM
The hospital that had some private services, is Stracathro and not Strathcaro as mentioned, 4 miles north of Brechin, and if you ever need to use it, you will be in good hands.
Posted by: Tam Glen | April 12, 2011 at 06:42 PM
Excellent article, as ever!
Posted by: Eva | April 12, 2011 at 04:48 PM