Scotland's health "is not improving" as the NHS faces "significant challenges", Audit Scotland has warned. While the budget for 2017-18 saw an increase in cash terms, there was actually a decrease of 0.1% in real terms from the prior year.
The watchdog's annual report lists concerns over missed targets, longer waiting times, "stalled" improvements and growing pressure on budgets.
- 99% increase in the number of people waiting more than 12 weeks for an outpatient appointment - "more people are waiting longer to be seen"
- "The majority of key national performance targets were not met in 2016-17"
- General practice faces "significant challenges", including recruiting and retaining GPs and "low morale"
- There is a "lack of financial flexibility" for health boards and a "lack of long-term planning"
- The overall health of Scots "continues to be poor and significant health inequalities remain"
- Life expectancy is "lower than in most European countries" and improvements have "stalled"
- Drug-related deaths have "increased significantly" with the rate "now the highest in the EU"
- "There are warning signs that maintaining the quality of care is becoming increasingly difficult"
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