We must learn lessons and build on progress of NHS, says Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon

Jun 29 2008

SIXTY years ago next weekend, our National Health Service was born.

Most of us have only ever known a Scotland that has an NHS.

But some Scots will remember the days when seeing a doctor was a hard choice - sometimes between treatment and food.

So we must never take the NHS for granted.

NHS Scotland now provides a vast range of services and complex treatments not even conceivable then - artificial hips, life-saving drugs, kidney and heart transplants.

This could not have happened without the skill and dedication of staff - from nurses, doctors, porters and medical secretaries to cleaners and physiotherapists. I'm not trying to claim that today's NHS is perfect.

We must learn lessons and build on progress.

We made a landmark decision to cut prescription charges with a view to abolishing them. We've raised the age limit for buying cigarettes and introduced a free school meals trial.

In Govan, £842million is being spent on the new Southern General.

Healthcare Associated Infections are a concern so I've introduced tough standards. In the next few months hospitals in three pilot areas will start screening for MRSA.

We're investing an extra £85million over three years to address our problems with alcohol.

Most importantly for the future, I want to see the Scottish people and NHS staff become real partners - co-owners - of an NHS which meets Scotland's needs for the next 60 years and beyond.