

The Herald today has:

Scotland already has far more, per head of population, GPs, nurses, midwives and other professionals than other parts of the UK (table above, sources below) so Prof Cameron’s theory seems a little thin, simplistic.
Here’s another explanation but one of course which cannot be laid at the door of the SNP Government’s limited devolved powers.
The major rise in processed/UPF availability and reliance began decades earlier (1980s–2000s), becoming entrenched by the 2010s. This long-term poor diet quality (cumulative effects on obesity, inflammation, mental health, and chronic conditions) helps explain why health gains from medical advances stalled and reversed into healthy life expectancy (HLE) declines after the mid-2010s peak — despite other improvements. Deprived areas show worse dietary indicators and larger HLE drops, amplifying inequalities.
https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/POST-PB-0059/POST-PB-0059.pdf
Sources for table of staffing ratios:
- Doctors (all, per 1,000): British Medical Association (BMA) – NHS Medical Staffing Data Analysis (updated 2023–2025). England: ~3.3 (calculated from NHS Digital data and ONS population); Wales: ~3.0; Scotland: ~3.5.
Link: bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/nhs-delivery-and-workforce/workforce/nhs-medical-staffing-data-analysis
Excerpt: “We have calculated the doctor to population ratio for England… using NHS Digital… and mid-2022 ONS population estimates.” (Note: BMA 2025 report notes England at 2.8 overall, adjusted regionally to ~3.3 including specialties.)
ONS population data: ons.gov.uk. - Nurses/Midwives (per 1,000): Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) – The NMC Register, September 2023 (UK-wide, with nation breakdowns); ONS adjustments. England: 7.8–8.0; Wales: 8.0–8.5; Scotland: 8.5–9.0.
Link: nmc.org.uk/news/news-and-updates/record-number-of-nurses-midwives-and-nursing-associates
Excerpt: “The NMC register… has grown by 30,351 to a record 788,638 (1.2 percent of the estimated population).” (ONS: ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/healthcaresystem/articles/thehealthcareworkforceacrosstheuk/2024 – 797,928 registered as of Sept 2023.) - GPs (per 100,000): Nuffield Trust – General Practice Workforce Tracker (updated June 2025); National Audit Office (NAO) trends. England: 70; Wales: 65; Scotland: 80.
Link: nuffieldtrust.org.uk/nhs-staffing-tracker/general-practice
Excerpt: “Since 2016, the number of fully qualified GPs has consistently fallen… [with] ratio currently standing at 1:2.6.” (Headcount excluding trainees/locums; trends from 2009–2023.)
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Tories 2010 -24 Did not increase healthcare spending. Cut welfare £18Billion. Did not increase it. Cut Education £6Billion a year. (£60Billion). Wasted £Billions on HS2, Hickley Point etc. Years late and over budget. Could have improved rail times in the North & Scotland. To cut rail times in UK.
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Scotland is surplus in fuel and energy does not need nuclear. Westminster spends £13Billion a year decommissioning nuclear. Hickley Point is years late and over budget. A poor, bad investment. Trident and redundant weaponry are a waste of money. £Billions lost because of Brexit damaging the UK economy. All revenues which could have funded NHS, Welfare and education. Improving the economy. Healthcare would have benefitted and people would have been better off. Less unemployment.
The Scottish Gov has to mitigate the loss. Scotland loses £Billion to Westminster. Pays back loans not borrowed or spent in Scotland. Pays too much for Defence. Loses £Billions to Brexit. Scotland in surplus in fuel and energy could benefit more. Nearer the source but pays more because of Westminster policy. Scotland would be better off Independent. Healthier, happier and more prosperous.
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Scotland has the lowest life expectancy in the UK and Europe. Cause? Deprivation, poor diet, obesity and drugs. “Hopelessness” as Prof Harry Burns summarised it in his excellent lecture to the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.
Autumn Lecture 2011. Heath and well-being in Scotland: time for a re-think. Sir Harry Burns
How does Norway compare I wonder (not).
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