THE Scottish NHS will “struggle to see out another year” unless “warm words” from ministers are backed up with action, a doctors’ union has warned.

British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland chairman Dr Iain Kennedy rang alarm bells in his annual New Year message today as he pointed to the results of the union’s annual winter pressures survey.

Of the 980 doctors who took part, 99 per cent said they were either extremely concerned (76 per cent) or concerned (23 per cent) about the impact of increased pressures this winter.