Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for health Dr Sandesh Gulhane MSP said: “These shocking figures are a damning indictment of the SNP’s mismanagement of the nation’s health.
“The alarming fall in healthy life expectancy – to a 10-year low – is the inevitable result of increased waiting times for treatment, persistent failure to meet targets for cancer and other serious conditions, and the crisis in drug and alcohol addiction which the Nationalists have presided over.
“Prolonged poor health has a devastating effect on peoples’ ability to work, mental well-being and independence, as well as placing a huge burden on the NHS and holding back economic growth.
“And, as usual under the SNP, it’s those from the most deprived areas who suffer disproportionately.
“Neil Gray, like successive SNP health secretaries before him, has failed to address this crisis. Rather than wasting time and effort on divisive plans for independence, he and John Swinney must now acknowledge the damaging impact of their policies and take urgent action to improve the health of the nation.”
