Medical leaders have fired a warning shot at the Scottish Government’s new long-term conditions framework, claiming it could ‘dilute’ vital resources for tackling one of Scotland’s biggest killers — heart disease.
Open Letter Raises Alarm
In an open letter to Public Health Minister Jenni Minto, 11 organisations — including the British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland, the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow — said the proposals lack clear strategy.
They argue the government’s idea of a broad, generalised approach for all long-term conditions risks taking focus and money away from targeted heart care.
One-liner: Without a standalone plan, they fear more Scots could die unnecessarily.
Deaths Are On the Rise
Cardiovascular deaths among adults aged 20 to 64 have risen by 14% in just four years.
In 2019, there were 2,032 deaths in that age group — by 2023, that figure jumped to 2,324.
One short line: That’s hundreds more families grieving loved ones each year.
The experts say the rising numbers should be enough to convince ministers that a sharper, more dedicated plan is needed.
Resources Already Stretched Thin
BHF Scotland says previous heart disease action plans have been hamstrung by tight purse strings.
In a decade, just £3 million has been earmarked to improve heart care — a sum they call “wholly insufficient” given the scale of the challenge.
One-liner: They argue this new, catch-all plan risks watering down services even more.
The letter states bluntly: “Heart disease management involves unique challenges… which cannot be effectively addressed through a generalised framework.”
What the Experts Want
The signatories want a stronger, fully-funded Heart Disease Action Plan, building on the version first published in 2021.
They acknowledge some progress has been made but say momentum has stalled because resources haven’t matched ambition.
Here’s what they’re asking for:
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Specific targets for early diagnosis and treatment.
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Clear funding commitments for local health boards.
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Better training for GPs and nurses to catch warning signs sooner.
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Regular public awareness campaigns to tackle risk factors.
Political Response Heats Up
Scottish Labour’s health spokesperson Jackie Baillie didn’t mince her words.
She accused SNP ministers of “reckless mismanagement” of the NHS and claimed their failure to prioritise heart disease puts lives at risk.
One sentence: “Ministers cannot bury their heads in the sand,” she said.
While BHF Scotland says it supports improving general healthcare quality, it argues that lumping everything into one basket simply won’t work for something as big and complex as heart disease.
What Happens Next?
The Scottish Government’s consultation is ongoing and has already triggered fierce debate across the medical community.
Health officials say they’re listening to concerns and will consider all feedback before finalising plans.
One line: But with deaths climbing, campaigners say there’s no time to lose.
Whether ministers will rethink their strategy remains to be seen — but for many patients, it’s a matter of life or death.
