Programme for presidency: John Swinney pledges to take on GP appointment lottery

John Swinney says the NHS will likely be “at the heart” of his executive’s legislative plans for the general yr of the Scottish Parliament’s present time period.

The first minister has introduced ahead the once a year programme for presidency, which he’s unveiling 12 months forward of the Holyrood election in May 2026.

In his speech on Tuesday, Swinney will pledge to extend capability within the well being provider to take on what he known as the 08:00 “lottery” for making GP appointments.

Labour has accused the SNP of “broken promises” whilst the Tories say ministers will have to transfer clear of “fringe obsessions”.

The programme for presidency units out the coverage and legislative targets for the following parliamentary yr.

It is normally revealed after the summer season recess, however Swinney moved the date this yr to “enable a full year to delivery” sooner than the Holyrood election.

Ahead of Tuesday’s speech, he visited Newfield Medical Group in Dundee.

The first minister mentioned his programme for presidency would “take serious action to put the NHS on track to meet the needs of the public”.

“While many people’s experience of their GP is excellent, for many others there is deep frustration over what has been described as the 8am lottery to make appointments,” he mentioned.

“So we will act to reduce pressure and increase capacity in the system, to make it easier for people to get the care they need, when they need it.”

Swinney mentioned kid poverty and price of residing pressures have been additionally amongst his priorities.

It comes after figures launched in March confirmed the Scottish executive had overlooked its felony objectives for lowering kid poverty.

“We’re seeing falling levels of child poverty, we are moving in the right direction,” he mentioned.

“Some of the measures we have funded, for example the Scottish Child Payment or increased investmnent in housing services, or wraparound care for early learning and childcare

“All those measures are designed to lend a hand us reach that adventure.”

The Scottish Conservatives said Swinney’s speech must signal a move away from SNP “fringe obsessions” and focus on the priorities of “mainstream Scotland”.

“That approach shedding the Nationalists’ fringe obsession with gender self-ID as soon as and for all, mentioned deputy chief Rachael Hamilton.

She mentioned Swinney will have to center of attention on repairing roads, finishing lecture room violence, slicing NHS ready occasions and lowering taxes.

Scottish Labour mentioned Scotland would no longer omit John Swinney’s “record of failure”.

Leader Anas Sarwar mentioned “From health to education to the environment, this SNP government’s record is defined by broken promises.

“Like clockwork, headline-grabbing plans are made and deserted, and impressive objectives are set and overlooked.”

Last week the Scottish government said it would not bring forward planned legislation to criminalise misogyny before next year’s election.

Ministers said there was not enough time to draw up a law which reflects the recent Supreme Court judgement on the definition of a woman, and instead plan to amend existing hate crime legislation to provide protections on the basis of sex.

Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie expressed disappointment that these plans had been dropped, alongside proposals to ban so-called conversion therapy.

Harvie said: “John Swinney must be bold and make certain that Scotland is taking significant motion to chop kid poverty and take on the local weather emergency.

“That means putting people and planet at the core of his plans.”