Scots health chiefs 'must not change'

LOTHIANS SNP MSP and former Wester Hailes GP Ian McKee has warned Scotland must not adopt the controversial changes proposed for the NHS in England.

UK Health Secretary Andrew Lansley unveiled plans earlier this week for a major shake-up, including the abolition of strategic health authorities and requiring GP practices to join forces to commission treatment directly.

He said it would give doctors a bigger role and mean more choice for patients.

Critics say yet another NHS reorganisation, bringing back an internal market, will be costly and damaging.

Dr McKee said: "This is an expensive prescription for yet more postcode health care in England.

"The UK government's disruptive and ideologically-driven experimentation is the very last thing the Scottish NHS needs - it is also a clear indication of what the Tories and Lib Dems would do to the Scottish health service if they were given the chance."