THE SNP Scottish government’s Budget plans for the NHS will lead to faster appointments and a smoother service, Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray claimed today.

Wednesday’s draft Budget announcement pledged a £2 billion uplift for the services, taking total funding to a record £21bn next year if approved by MSPs. 

Scottish Finance Secretary Shona Robison told MSPs the cash would deliver 600 new beds as she set a new target of no-one waiting more than 12 months for a new outpatient appointment by Match 2026.