Scotland’s first minister says health reforms should not force longer patient journeys
John Swinney says planned changes to Scotland’s health boards are intended to keep care closer to home as ministers weigh a major reorganisation.
Scotland’s first minister, John Swinney, has said planned health service reforms should not mean patients have to travel farther for treatment. The comments come as ministers consider reducing the number of mainland health boards from 14 to two.
The proposal is part of a wider effort to reshape how the Scottish NHS is run, but questions remain over how the new structure would work in practice. Officials have not yet set out detailed arrangements for services, staffing or local accountability.
Swinney’s remarks suggest the government wants to present the overhaul as a way to improve coordination without shifting care away from communities. The plans are still in development and have not yet been put into effect.
The debate comes against the backdrop of pressure on health services across Scotland, where access, waiting times and service delivery remain central political issues.
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