Scotland’s recently appointed health secretary, Neil Gray, has stated that the NHS must “reform and improve.” Gray intends to improve waiting times and push for productive reform after consulting health officials, NHS staff, and trade unions. In his first interview since his appointment, Gray discussed the NHS’s ongoing pandemic recovery and current pressures concerning Brexit and inflation.
Gray, who succeeded Michael Matheson, Scotland’s sixth health secretary in ten years, plans to present his reform proposals to the cabinet in the coming weeks. He also mentioned the health service’s increased demands, covering the social and health care sectors.
Gray commented that he “want[s] to continue to drive down waiting times, both for out-patient appointments and for in-patients, and for us to see a continued improvement in accident and emergency waiting times.” Gray was appointed last week and was previously serving as the wellbeing economy, fair work, and energy secretary since March 2021.
Matheson resigned as health secretary in January after an £11k data-roaming bill occurred on his parliamentary iPad while on a family holiday to Morocco. When information about the fees emerged in November, Matheson admitted that his sons had used the iPad’s data to watch football matches, apologized, and repaid the fees. The Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB) investigated whether Matheson had made an inappropriate expenses claim.
Gray previously served as an MP from 2015 to 2021, when he left Westminster to run for the Scottish Parliament. He became the minister for culture, Europe, and international development in January 2022 after winning the Airdrie and Shotts seat. Later he gained ministerial responsibility for Ukrainian refugees. Elena Whitham, drugs minister, also resigned two days before Matheson’s resignation, stating health reasons
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