SCOTTISH Labour have accused the First Minister of "turning a blind eye" to the health service, and called for the SNP to match their pledge of a £100 million cash boost for the NHS.

 

During a heated First Minister's questions yesterday, Labour's deputy leader Kezia Dugdale spoke of the NHS in crisis and asked Nicola Sturgeon to follower her party's lead in pledging more funding for the health service.

The call comes just days after the Evening Times reported that the NHS were desperately looking for volunteers to help on the A&E ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

The advert, displayed on the Engage Renfrewshire Facebook page, called for volunteers to help patients waiting to be seen at the Paisley emergency department for "prolonged periods of time."

Ms Dugdale slammed the advert and, while accepting the important role volunteers play in other areas, said it was unacceptable to ask for help in accident and emergency units.

Speaking at Holyrood yesterday, Ms Dugdale said: "When pleas are being made for volunteers to support staff in our A&Es and Portakabins are being set up to treat patients, you know there's a problem in our NHS.

"It's time Nicola Sturgeon stopped turning a blind eye to this and did something about it.

"The First Minister's complacency about our NHS in Scotland is worrying for patients who need treatment and the staff under pressure to deliver.

"The number of patients being treated in Scotland's hospitals has risen dramatically in recent years, but the number of NHS staff is lagging behind."

The Lothian MSP urged the nationalists to support the development of a multi-million pound front line fund to help the NHS.

She added: "The SNP should back Scottish labour's plan for a £100million front line fund. The extra investment to tackle bed blocking is welcome, but it's not enough. The problem isn't just at the back door - it's on the front line too.

"Scottish Labour is putting the NHS first. It's time the First Minister did the same."

Ms Sturgeon responded to the calls, and said: "These volunteers are not replacing NHS staff. They are not accessing patients on their own.

This is an opportunity to thank the people who volunteer."