SCOTLAND'S NHS: SEE A MEDICAL SPECIALIST IN ONLY 32 WEEKS!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR FROM A SCOTISH DOCTROR:

Deceived over targets

John Ritchie's tales illustrates the primacy of process over outcomes in the NHS in Scotland, all for political ends (Letters, May 28).

Only last week was announced the matching of the 15-week waiting list target to treatment, but we are all deceived, like Mr Ritchie.

He was initially "seen" within the target time but continues to wait for a final outcome as he is passed from a "specialist", through an investigation, until he may see a consultant for final diagnosis and treatment, perhaps 32 weeks from first referral.

But he matched the target; process achieved but outcome unsatisfactory.

As Pat McNally has confirmed, this is not an isolated case but typical of the management of waiting lists.

... The NHS in Scotland had achieved the recent target of 15 weeks only with much of the care being outsourced to the private sector, at high cost and perhaps less satisfactory outcomes for continuity of care.

We are deceived as the SNP manifesto made it clear, and the government continues to claim, that it would not make use of such expensive resources. It has continued to do so since being elected, and will not achieve the coming targets of 18 weeks for referral to treatment without major use of this sector.

In the present financial crisis, where is the money to come from when NHS facilities are being closed for lack of finance?

Gavin R Tait, FRCSEd, 37 Fairlie, East Kilbride.

NATIONALIZED CARE SUCKS OVER THERE - WHERE THEY'VE BEEN AT IT FOR SIX DECADES.

YET OBAMA WANTS TO BRING IT HERE - INCREMENTALLY.

DON'T BE DUPED.

DISSENT ACCORDINGLY.