Cole-Hamilton: Disease burden shows NHS needs vision and foresight

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has said the SNP lack the ‘foresight and vision’ to tackle huge projected increases in Scotland’s disease burden, which includes a forecasted rise of almost 60% in lung cancer cases.

The Scottish Burden of Disease study found that by 2044:

• The number of people with lung cancer is estimated to increase by 59%.
• The number of people with colorectal cancer is estimated to increase by 44%.
• The number of females with breast cancer is estimated to increase by 30%.
• The prevalence of dementia is estimated to rise by 52-58%.
• The largest relative increases for all except colorectal cancer are in people aged 85 or over.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“These figures are loud and clear about the need to make a serious investment in preventative health care and fix our NHS.

“The reality of an ageing population requires a government with the foresight to act now, but the SNP lack any kind of vision.

“Thanks to their mismanagement, patients are waiting a lifetime for treatment, staff are on their knees and Scotland now has the worst shortage of oncologists of any UK nation.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are working hard to unpick years of SNP neglect, get everyone fast access to their GP, prioritise preventative care and ensure fast diagnosis and treatment.

“All of that is essential if we are to change the outlook for patients and staff and put our NHS back on a stable footing.”