Scottish Government claims about funding threats to the NHS were “dishonest, desperate and a disgrace”, it was claimed yesterday.
It follows a pledge from Alex Salmond that ensuring the health service remains in public hands will be enshrined in an independent Scotland’s written constitution.
The SNP says only a Yes vote will protect the health budget from the impact of creeping privatisation in England where cuts are passed on through the Barnett Formula used to allocated funding to Scotland.
Pro-union campaigners claim the opposite is happening and that an increase in NHS funding has resulted in an extra £1.3billion for the Scottish health service.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the principles that the NHS was free at the point of delivery and met the needs of all were “enduring”.
He said: “For the Nationalists to claim that they are under threat is dishonest, desperate and disgraceful. It is also factually wrong.
“Despite the financial pressure of the global financial crisis, the NHS budget has been protected and NHS funding in England is now £12.7billion higher than it was in 2010.
“Private sector involvement in England’s NHS is paid for with public money, meaning that the cash equivalent is protected for Scotland – and the Scottish Government can spend it however they see fit.”
The Scottish Tories said official figures showed a “massive investment” in the NHS resulting in an extra £1.3billion for Scottish facilities over five years to the end of 2015/16.
“This puts to bed the shameless messaging the SNP has been running on the NHS,” said Tory health spokesman Jackson Carlaw.
“It’s nothing but desperate scaremongering from Alex Salmond, who will do and say anything to achieve independence.”
The first minister described the NHS as being a “fundamental part of Scotland’s national identity” as he accused successive Westminster governments of having “scorned and betrayed” its founding principles of providing care free at the point of need.
“Constitutional protection for the NHS is our promise to generations yet to come that in the Scotland we seek, no-one will be denied medical aid because of lack of means,” Mr Salmond said.
“The NHS is at the heart of our nation, and I want it to be at the heart of our constitution.”