AN SNP government will provide “MOTs for lung and heart health” if returned for a fifth term in May, according to First Minister John Swinney today.

Modelled on a Japanese initiative, centres would be places in community settings such as football stadiums, shopping centres and workplaces to screen for cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
and heart disease.

Making the pledge ahead of a visit to a pharmacy, Mr Swinney said: “The SNP will keep driving progress in our NHS — and that will rely on innovation and putting an even greater focus on prevention.

“Our plans for new ‘one-stop shops’ will provide MOTs for lung and heart health, making it quicker and easier for people to access checks that could ultimately save their lives.

“They will identify conditions earlier, improve outcomes and help free up capacity in our NHS.”

Unimpressed, Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Dame Jackie Baillie said: “No-one is buying this desperate spin.

“John Swinney and the SNP have been in government for nearly two decades — if they knew how to improve things, they would have done it by now.”