“`html
Scotland’s First Minister has unveiled plans for a network of walk-in GP services aimed at delivering an additional one million appointments across the nation.
John Swinney announced that these services would operate seven days a week, from noon until 8 PM, to alleviate pressure on traditional GP surgeries by addressing “the 8 AM rush for appointments.”
The announcement was a key highlight of his address at the SNP conference held in Aberdeen.
In addition to the healthcare initiative, Swinney reiterated his commitment to Scottish independence, introduced a sponsorship program for social care workers, and voiced criticism of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer regarding Labour’s performance at Westminster.
The First Minister emphasized that there was “no more important issue” than the National Health Service.
Addressing conference delegates, he stated that the walk-in GP scheme would initially launch at 15 locations before expanding nationwide.
“They will break from the status quo. They will add to the care we already value. Staffed by GPs and nurses,” he affirmed.
“And you won’t need to call up for an appointment. That means more people can go after work – when it fits with their lives.”
Swinney pledged that the first site would be operational “within the year”.
Furthermore, the First Minister asserted that Scotland was being harmed by a morally objectionable “race to the right” among parties at Westminster.
He argued that this had resulted in an “80 percent fall” in the number of overseas nurses the NHS could recruit, along with the closure of a visa route for care home staff.
Swinney stated: “Thousands of care workers here in the UK entirely legally have been left high and dry.”
“Unable to work, while care homes are crying out for staff. In what world does that make any sense?”
He announced that the Scottish government would sponsor overseas staff to enable them to “work, pay tax and help keep Scotland’s care homes running.”
Swinney stressed that Scotland’s older population “must not pay the price for Westminster’s prejudice.”
The First Minister then criticized Sir Keir Starmer, claiming he had initially promised to be a left-wing Labour leader but had evolved into a “right-wing prime minister.”
“Now he’s dressing up as Nigel Farage,” he remarked.
He suggested that Starmer had failed to deliver the progressive policies that had initially garnered votes for the Labour Party.
Swinney reiterated his commitment to offering Scotland a “fresh start” through independence.
He envisioned it as “a modern, outward-looking, inclusive compassionate country.”
“Not a devolved nation but the world’s newest independent nation.”
On Saturday, SNP members endorsed Swinney’s strategy to declare a mandate for a second independence referendum if the party secures a majority of seats in next year’s Holyrood election.
Swinney told delegates that his proposals were the most realistic way of pursuing the goal, based on a precedent which brought about the 2014 referendum.
Scotland voted against leaving the UK by a margin of 55.3% to 44.7% in September 2014.
Sir Keir Starmer, whose agreement would be necessary for any such vote, has previously stated that he could not foresee indyref2 taking place during his tenure.
The accident and emergency department of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary was evacuated on Friday evening after the incident.
STV wants to stop producing a separate news service from Aberdeen for the former Grampian TV region.
The SNP won more than half of the seats at Holyrood in 2011, an electoral triumph that paved the way for a poll on the country’s future.
Mark Hutchinson was only 52 when he died unexpectedly last year after suffering two strokes “out of the blue”.
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary evacuated its A&E department after two people were injured on Friday evening.
“`