WES Streeting has called John Swinney an “analogue politician in a digital age” over Scotland not yet having an NHS app.
The UK Health Secretary said Scottish patients were “missing out”, with the NHS in England having had one for six years.
Plans to create an NHS Scotland app are under way but are currently limited to a trial for dermatology patients in NHS Lanarkshire. A national rollout is not expected before the end of the decade.
Streeting said there was “no excuse” for the devolved government not have to have introduced an app similar to the one in England, which has been in place for six years.
It follows his pledge to improve the use of technology in the NHS south of the border.
Last week, Streeting launched plans to give patients in England a “doctor in your pocket” as he announced improvements to the country’s NHS app, which already has 35 million users.
It currently allows patients to book appointments with their GP, order prescriptions and manage hospital appointments.
Streeting said the lack of an app in Scotland showed why Scotland “can’t afford a third decade of the SNP”.
The Health Secretary said: “The UK Labour Government is embracing technology to deliver a better NHS for patients and their families, giving them more control and transparency over their treatment.
“In John Swinney, the SNP have an analogue politician in a digital age, and patients in Scotland are missing out.
“The SNP have record funding and complete control of the NHS in Scotland, there’s no excuses for this, and it just shows why Scotland can’t afford a third decade of the SNP and needs a new direction with Anas Sarwar as first minister.”
The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.
