Scottish Lib Dems on verge of ‘historic breakthrough’, says party leader

The Scottish Liberal Democrat leader has said his party is on the verge of “a historic breakthrough” in next May’s Holyrood elections.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said the Liberal Democrats would offer voters “hope” and a “realistic plan”.

The Scottish Lib Dem leader was speaking at the party conference in Glasgow on Saturday.

He detailed the main focus for the party leading up to the elections next May.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats secured £15 million more for GPs in the Scottish Budget this year, to alleviate some of the recruitment and retention issues that practices are struggling with right now, to make it easier for people to see a GP.”

He said at the coming election, the Liberal Democrats would commit to training and recruiting staff such as “nurses, mental health professionals and physios”.

He said they would: “Roll out AI language models in consulting rooms to listen to appointments and generate notes and referrals. These are already being used safely in some surgeries and could save GPs masses of bureaucracy.

“Increase the number of GPs and their share of the NHS budget.

“And crucially, conference, let’s give infants, over 70s and everyone with long-term health conditions access to a named GP, because the evidence shows having a GP who knows you well, and can see when something isn’t right, lowers the chance of expensive emergency admissions.”

Mr Cole-Hamilton also said “social media giants need to be held accountable” and the party would expand pupil support in schools and focus on education.

He said: “Young people are telling us that they know it’s harmful. Research shows many have tried to find ways to cut down their use themselves.

“Phones are a distraction, apps are built to be addictive, they offer relentless notifications, toxic role models and platforms for the worst kind of bullying.

“It’s time to enshrine the right of children to learn, and teachers to teach, in phone-free classrooms and we’d expand pupil support in every school too.

“Because education is the great leveller of our times. It is the ladder. It is the best investment we can make in our children’s potential and our country’s future.”