On Monday, I was in the room for the first minister’s speech on “NHS renewal”.
It was attended by influential figures from Scotland’s health and care sectors, with many welcoming the steps outlined by John Swinney to get the health service back on its feet.
This was the third major speech the first minister has made in recent weeks, all of which have attracted a senior and engaged audience. It’s difficult to imagine an SNP leader commanding this level of respect a few months ago. The difference now is that it’s much more likely Swinney will be in office to deliver his long-term vision.
In typical Swinney fashion, his address on Monday was full of sensible, well-considered measures, many of which are difficult to disagree with. However, I left questioning what was new or different about his plan to transform the health service, an issue which is central in the minds of many voters.
The core focus of his strategy is to direct resources towards primary and community-based care, with an emphasis also placed on measures which prevent illness. This is all eminently sensible, and the government is right to pursue this approach.
However, these have been pursuits of the Scottish Government for much of the past 20 years.
Today, policy makers face new challenges and have novel tools at their disposal.
The first minister made his speech in the National Robotarium at Heriot-Watt University, surrounded by examples of what can be achieved when researchers, engineers, government and, crucially, the private sector, work together.
The first minister came tentatively close to backing further partnerships with the private sector to ensure that people across Scotland get access to world-leading medical technology and treatment.
With devolution now in its 26th year, we’re beginning to see divergences in the delivery of health services in different parts of the UK. This process began in Scotland with the provision of free adult social care and the abolition of prescription charges.
Under the new Labour government, the NHS south of the border is also setting a new course, led by Wes Streeting, who isn’t shy about working with the private sector if it means patients get the care they deserve. If Streeting’s reforms are successful, and this is a big ‘if’, then the SNP will feel increased pressure to think differently about the future of the service in Scotland.
It is entirely possible to work with the private sector, in a way which improves patient outcomes, while maintaining public ownership of the service itself. There are examples of this in practice across the service today, backed by government investment, which is delivering exceptional results. The usual suspects may cry “privatisation by stealth” but we must see more of this if we are to future-proof the service for future generations.
The current incumbent of Bute House is a collaborator and a consensus builder. His ability to muster cross-party support for the government’s budget is proof of this. In his speech, the first minister said “we will only succeed on this path of reform and renewal if we walk it together.”
Scotland’s innovative tech sector, and other major global players, are ready and willing to lace up their boots.