Commenting on Nicola Sturgeon's speech to the BMA conference in Edinburgh, Liberal Democrat Public Health Spokesperson Jamie Stone MSP said:

"Improving patient care must be the fundamental consideration that drives all reform of the NHS in Scotland. The SNP's dogmatic approach is very short-sighted. The role of the private sector should be considered on a case-by-case basis and subject to rigorous scrutiny.

"Patients are more concerned with receiving timely care than with who the provider is. We have a publicly funded health service of which we can be proud and the Scottish Government must prioritise patients over dogma.”