On health, the party set out plans to improve the improve the health care system with a commitment to reduce waiting lists, improve use of technology and guarantee GP appointments within 48 hours.

They have pledged to increase NHS funding with an annual above inflation uplift, to eliminate corridor care and to invest in a Health and Social Care Workforce Strategy that would improve training opportunities, take strong action against workplace bullying and outline investment in staff car parking. They also plan to attract recently retired doctors and nurses back into the health service so that they can assist with surgical procedures to increase the number of NHS treatments and reduce waiting lists.

To boost the public health, their commitments include increasing access to weight loss drugs, scrapping minimum unit pricing on alcohol and targeting resources towards alcohol addiction service instead and supporting the ban on disposable vapes. They would launch a women’s health charter and deliver an urgent review into maternity services.

On social care they would review the current integration framework, pilot placing patients in a suitable care home within 48 hours of being declared fit for discharge and would amend the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 to reduce the impact of delays where no Power of Attorney is in place.

Colin Poolman, RCN Scotland Executive Director said: “A commitment to continued investment in health and social care and to a detailed and fully funded workforce strategy are welcome. As is the recognition of the need to eliminate corridor care.

“The party has listened to our calls for improvements in workplace culture, for investment in training and improvements in the use of technology. However, their proposals to attract recently retired doctors and nurses back to assist with surgical procedures raises questions, as does some of their plans to improve the public’s health and fund tax cuts and service investment by reducing benefit spending and public sector bureaucracy.”

RCN Scotland will respond to each of the main parties’ manifestos, and we encourage all of our members to engage in the political process and use their vote on 7 May.