Scottish Labour Will Deliver AI Hospital Scanners
Scottish Labour will ensure the nation’s hospitals are kitted out with new AI-enabled scanners that are faster, more accurate and increase the number of appointments available, Anas Sarwar has said.
The party leader said a Scottish Labour government would roll out a network of state-of-the-art scanners as part of its commitment to making Scotland’s NHS fit for the future.
The new scanners will replace ageing and limited diagnostic equipment, and help detect a range of diseases – including cancer – much earlier.
An independent report to NHS bosses in England recommended that CT and MRI machines that are over 10 years old should be replaced.
The scanners help detect cancer earlier, as well as degenerative diseases such as dementia and multiple sclerosis.
The current ageing equipment contributes to downtime, capacity bottlenecks, and ultimately longer waits for patients waiting for vital testing.
That’s why Scottish Labour will prioritise replacing any scanner that is over a decade old. As well as installing new machines, there also needs to be an expansion of the diagnostic workforce.
The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) reported last year that Scotland had a 25 per cent shortage of clinical radiologists and a 19 per cent shortage of clinical oncologists, with these shortfalls expected to rise by 2029.
Scottish Labour’s 10-year NHS workforce plan will address the need for more clinical radiology consultants to address the shortage.
Commenting on the pledge to deliver new scanners, Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar MSP said: “It is completely unacceptable that patients don’t have access to fast and modern scanners when they are facing worrying waits for tests.
“They and their families deserve access to the best equipment that is available and without facing even greater anxiety caused by delays in testing.
“Scottish Labour will roll out new AI-enabled scanners which will use the latest technology to deliver quicker results and increase the number of appointments available.
“The election in May is about our NHS, our schools, creating better opportunities for our children and making our streets safer. As First Minister, I’ll focus on fixing the mess, getting the basics right and building a better future for Scotland.”
Scottish Labour’s Health Spokesperson Jackie Baillie MSP added: “Under this incompetent SNP government our NHS is in crisis, hardworking staff don’t get the resources they need to do their job and patients suffer from long waits and poorer outcomes.
“Scottish Labour will invest in the latest technology to reduce waiting times and ensure that patients get the quick and accurate diagnoses they need.”