MOST Scots believe that the NHS is worse now than a decade ago, according to new polling published today, as figures show some patients waiting more than eight years for treatment.

Research carried out by Norstat on behalf of the Enlighten think tank found that 71 per cent of the 1,020 people surveyed last month agreed with the statement “the NHS in Scotland is worse now than it was 10 years ago” and 77 per cent believed it would worsen in the coming decade.

Sounding the alarm, two-thirds of respondents branded the service “no longer sustainable,” while half agreed that “private providers should play a bigger role in delivering NHS services,” compared with 22 who opposed the move.

Enlighten director Chris Deerin said: “The people on the front line of delivering health and social care in Scotland are increasingly telling us that the system is unsustainable, often stretched beyond capacity and overly complex.

“We also know that the nation’s health is deteriorating, that inequalities are widening and that, with an ageing population, demand for health and social care services can only grow.

“The users of the services see that too and accept that the status quo is not an option.”

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie slammed the SNP government’s “scandalous” handling of the NHS, which has seen one patient wait more than eight years for inpatient or day case plastic surgery and another wait almost seven years for ear, nose and throat treatment.

She said: “Under the SNP, the founding principles of our NHS have been torn to shreds.

“It’s no surprise people are worried about the state of our health service when one in six Scots are stuck on an NHS waiting list and getting a GP appointment feels like winning the lottery.

“We cannot afford a third decade of SNP failure and simply tinkering around the edges won’t cut it.”

SNP Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “This poll shows that 88 per cent of people believe healthcare should be free and we will always protect the founding principles of the NHS — publicly owned and free at the point of need.

“That’s why we are investing a record £21.7 billion in health and social care this year, targeting areas with the longest waits, tackling backlogs, and ensuring patients get the care they need faster.”