Strathaven based MSP Linda Fabiani, has welcomed new figures that show that waiting times for treatment in Scotland’s accident and emergency departments are at a record low.

The statistics on NHS waiting times and waiting lists show that the NHS is continuing to reduce waiting times for patients, including for first outpatient consultations, and hospital inpatient and day case treatment.

Commenting on the figures Linda Fabiani said:

“The staff of the NHS deserve a great deal of credit for the superb efforts they are making in cutting waiting times to ensure patients get the treatment they need as quickly as possible.

“It is a priority for the Scottish Government to reduce waiting times and make more transparent the publishing of waiting times figures, because we believe it is important that patients have a clear knowledge of when they can expect to receive their treatment.

“Staff at Hairmyres Hospital and throughout the local NHS have worked extremely hard to achieve these results but we do not intend to rest on our laurels and we will continue to support NHS Boards to ensure that waiting times are further cut in the future.

“The SNP Government is currently working towards a ‘whole journey’ maximum waiting time of 18 weeks from GP referral to treatment, to be delivered by the end of 2011 and, we are proud that the NHS in Scotland is continuing to effectively meet national maximum waiting times targets for first outpatient consultations, hospital inpatient and day case treatment, key diagnostic tests, the diagnosis and treatment of coronary heart disease and attendance at A&E.

“Also because of the greater levels of transparency in the ways we publish waiting time statistics patients are no longer at risk of finding themselves on hidden waiting lists.

“This is an impressive performance from the NHS in Scotland and the staff deserve our gratitude for making it happen”.

Strathaven based SNP MSP Linda Fabiani, is warning of an energy cost crisis after utility firm E.ON announced further hikes in gas and electricity prices. From 22 August 2008 gas bills will increase by 26% and electricity by 16%.

Ms Fabiani pointed to figures, published this month by Ofgem, which reveal that the number of electricity and gas disconnections for debt in 2007 soared to 8,324, up by 3,270 on the previous year’s total.

Ms Fabiani said:

“These latest figures from Ofgem are yet another example of the impact that rising costs are having on peoples lives. There will be people in East Kilbride already struggling to meet the increased cost of living and this latest round of price rises will mean even more households having to tighten their belts.

 
“We have to be concerned that the figures from Ofgem show that debt and disconnections are escalating and fuel poverty increasing.

“At the moment the energy market is simply not working for the consumer and the UK government must take steps that will alleviate the financial problems that households have to cope with.

 “They should move to provide support to the most vulnerable of our communities and use some of the record windfalls from North Sea Oil to offset the increased expenditure people are facing.

Strathaven resident and MSP Linda Fabiani, is highlighting a new advice booklet from the Council of Mortgage Lenders called ‘A Practical Guide to Helping Mortgage Borrowers in Difficulty’.

Ms Fabiani said:

“We are in a period of real financial difficulty for a great number of people, and more and more individuals and couples are encountering difficulties with their mortgages.

 
“The increase in mortgage arrears coupled with rising utility and food bills is causing financial hardship in some quarters but mortgage lenders have a range of strategies to help borrowers who are experiencing financial difficulties, and there are a number of steps borrowers can take to help themselves in this situation.

“The Council of Mortgage Lenders has produced a leaflet highlighting the key messages that borrowers should be aware of at each stage of the arrears and possessions process. It also gives details of organisations that may be able to provide advice and help in different circumstances.

“This is not a pleasant subject to have to highlight but East Kilbride is an area with a high percentage of owner occupiers and there are some households that could benefit from the advice available either now or in the future.  

“Constituents in need of this booklet can download it at www.cml.org.uk.”

Strathaven based MSP Linda Fabiani has warmly welcomed the latest YouGov polling figures which show that in the next elections to the Scottish Parliament the SNP would win the East Kilbride constituency seat on the First Past the Post electoral vote. 

Commenting on the poll Linda Fabiani said:

“This is very encouraging news for the SNP, this poll shows that throughout the country the SNP is making serious inroads into traditional Labour areas and now no Labour seat is safe.

“The results of this poll put the SNP in Central Scotland on 43% to Labours 30% with the SNP vote increasing by 12% and Labour dropping 9%. With these figures the SNP would win the East Kilbride constituency seat and dozens of others throughout Scotland.

“These figures give the SNP a substantial lead over Labour and coming so soon after the win in the Glasgow East by-election it demonstrates the growing support for the SNP Government while other parties are losing support.

“These polling figures express the publics backing for the new era of political change that the SNP government have ushered in and the initiatives and policies we are introducing resonate with the publics’ sentiments of what they want to see a government do.

“The overall national figures in this poll give the SNP in an even greater lead over Labour and they look like a party in disarray while the SNP are going from strength to strength”.

Local Strathaven resident and MSP Linda Fabiani, has welcomed the comments by the candidates in the Labour party leadership campaign that they no longer support the council tax in its present form.

After all three candidates spoke of their belief that the council tax needs reform, Linda Fabiani said:
“The SNP have repeatedly made the case for a fair local income tax to replace the council tax and the about turn by the Labour leadership candidates does I think show the sense of our argument.

“When the SNP government brings forward its proposals for a local income tax based on peoples ability to pay it will be interesting to see just how committed the new Labour leadership is to changing the current unfair system that takes no account of an individuals earnings.

“The facts are that the Labour party has no plans or even a coherent idea of how it would change the council tax and, when they had the chance during the last parliament they voted against proposals that would freeze the council tax and subsequently scrap it altogether.

“However, the Labour party’s u-turn does indicate that the £400million of Council Tax Benefit money which Westminster says it will withhold from Scotland, will indeed be coming here when we scrap it. Otherwise Andy Kerr’s statement that he “would immediately signal a long-term desire to replace the council tax” if elected Labour leader is an unsustainable position. Labour cannot argue that they want to see the council tax replaced and at the same time support a cut in the Scottish finances because of it. Andy Kerr, along with the other leadership candidates, should make clear their position on the benefit cash that Westminster is threatening to withdraw so the public can get a clear idea of what the Labour party stance is.”