Scottish NHS to get £2 billion boost after Theresa May 'birthday present'
Scotland's struggling NHS is to receive a £2 billion funding boost after Theresa May announced a special 70th "birthday present" for the health service in England.
The extra money will be paid to the Scottish Government under the Barnett formula after the Prime Minister announced the English NHS is to get an extra £20 billion by 2023.
Shona Robison, the SNP Health Minister, confirmed that "every penny" of the extra funds would be allocated to the Scottish health service.
But she said Mrs May's promise to fund the rise through a "Brexit dividend" was "simply not credible", arguing the UK was having to pay a £40 billion bill to leave the EU.
Ruth Davidson, the Scottish Tory leader, welcomed the extra funding but did not repeat the "Brexit dividend" claim.
The UK Gov's decision to invest an extra £20bn in the NHS will mean the Scottish Government will receive a £2bn windfall to support health care in Scotland. pic.twitter.com/y8LONHDqMc
— ScotConservatives (@ScotTories) June 17, 2018
The extra funding was announced after official figures published last month showed a record one in four Scottish NHS patients waited longer for treatment than the 12-week guarantee enshrined in law by the SNP.
Ms Robison has faced repeated calls to resign amid growing shortages of GPs and key hospital staff and a funding crisis at NHS Tayside, her local health board.
She said: "Any Barnett funding is welcome after seeing Scotland's budget cut by £2.6 billion under the current UK Government.
"However, if this is to be funded with personal tax freezes and borrowing, then other UK departments will face funding squeezes to meet the costs of Brexit - and as a result any increases in health could be given with one hand and taken away with the other."
But Ms Davidson said: "It is hugely welcome that the UK Conservative Government has provided this long-term funding plan for our NHS.
"As we celebrate the fact that our NHS is 70 years young, it's important we look to how we deliver the sustainable health and social care communities across Scotland will require in the future."