Cole-Hamilton attacks SNP record on health

Delayed discharge and waits for social care:

Responding to the news that delayed discharge accounted for 1 in 9 occupied NHS beds in 2024/25, while 11,036 people were waiting last month for a social care assessment or care at home package, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

"Under the SNP, the problem of delayed discharge is as bad as ever. There are so many people stuck in hospital who should be in care homes or looked after at home. It's causing hospitals to be backed up all the way to A&E and the ambulances left waiting outside.

"It shows that you can't fix the NHS without fixing care. It's why Scottish Liberal Democrats want a new UK-wide minimum wage for care workers that is £2 higher.”

Prostate cancer:

From July 2023 to June 2024, two of the 11 improvement targets from prostate cancer were met. The figures can be found here.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“I applaud the work of Chris Hoy and others in pushing this up the agenda. The Government should urgently guarantee this targeted screening across the country, and just as importantly, it must commit to further investment in research to unlock broader screening so that many more men can be protected.”

Dementia:

In 2023/24 there was an increase in the number of people newly diagnosed with dementia and an increase in the median time from diagnosis to contact with a post-diagnostic practitioner. Figures can be found here.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“Too many people with dementia feel as if they are a burden. They have been badly let down by this Scottish Government.

“One of the major flaws in the SNP’s care plans was the desire to see services run by ministers in Edinburgh.

“We don’t want to repeat that mistake. However, what we can do is set out minimum standards and entitlements for care so that people can live with dignity and not feel left behind.

“Liberal Democrats believe in giving people more control over their own lives and health so that everyone gets the care they need, when they need it and where they need it. Patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias must not be allowed to fall through the cracks.

“Scotland deserves better. And with the Scottish Liberal Democrats, you can vote for it.

Drug Deaths:

There were 898 deaths in the first 9 months of 2025, which is higher than the 833 in the first 9 months of 2024. Figures can be found here.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“These figures show the continuing tragedy of Scotland’s drug deaths crisis.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats want to see safer drug consumption rooms, facilities that have a proven track record of keeping people safe, rolled out across Scotland. We also want to see naloxone kits being mapped in the same way that defibrillators are and co-located in many instances to create life stations, strategically sited in public places.

“We have a realistic plan to stop people dying and deliver the world-class drug services Scotland deserves.”