Thursday 13 November 2025
For immediate release
Political manoeuvring will not fix the NHS in Scotland, says UNISON
Commenting on the announcement today (Thursday) by cabinet secretary Neil Gray on winter preparedness and planning priorities for health and social care, UNISON Scotland head of health Matt McLaughlin said:
“Neil Gray has made a big mistake by failing to involve NHS unions in these plans. They don’t look like a genuine effort to tackle the many health challenges Scotland faces.
“None of these proposals will make a real difference to waiting times, delayed discharges, or dangerously low staffing levels. Another layer of management won’t improve their care or the lives of NHS workers.
“Patients and staff must be at the heart of any plans to improve the health service. Yet both are being failed by a system struggling to provide the care and support they need.
“Political manoeuvring will not fix the NHS. The government must deliver real, lasting solutions to Scotland’s health crisis and not simply react to pressure from the opposition.”
Notes to editors
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contact:
Matt McLaughlin M: 07904 341979 E: m.mclaughlin@unison.co.uk