HEALTH: JOHNSTONE WELCOMES SKILLS INVESTMENT BUT URGES PREVENTATIVE SPEND
Responding to the announcement by the First Minister of investment in training for nurses and medical schools, Alison Johnstone, Health and Wellbeing spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said:
“Scottish Greens believe Scotland can care for everyone, young and old. Investment in medical education and training is of course welcome and delivering care at or near our homes is not a new idea, as the First Minister has accepted.
"In addition to investing in training for nurses, we must see greater effort to prevent delayed discharges in our hospitals. Paying carers a real living wage would help tackle this crisis.
"We must also see a shift towards preventative spending, which to date the Scottish Government has been reluctant to do. We need to prioritise warm, affordable homes, clean air in our city centres, and decent infrastructure to make walking, cycling and public transport the easy options. With a truly joined-up approach we really can make Scotland fit for the future."