Crisis of ‘tragic health outcomes’

His comments follow the publication of new research which reveals that more than a quarter of Scots have sought NHS treatment due to impacts of the cost-of-living crisis on their health.

A report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has said that the crisis has deepened a “cycle of health inequality” which is "failing our people and turning up the pressure on the NHS.”

With food prices continuing to soar and rapidly inflating energy bills making it difficult for people to keep warm, more people in Angus are having to seek out either physical or acute mental health treatment for resultant conditions.

Mr Dey said: “This cost-of-living crisis, in large part created and exacerbated by UK Government policy failures, is damaging people’s health and ramping up the pressure on our already strained NHS.

“Failure to tackle the rising costs of food and energy with the levers at Westminster’s disposal is translating to tragic public health outcomes, and the people of Angus and Scotland deserve better.”

He also said that the Scottish Government is using its devolved powers over health matters to address the situation.

He added: “While the Scottish Government digs deep to mitigate the situation with what few powers it has to do so, it is clear that Tory UK governments still threaten the future of NHS services – be it with neglect or privatisation. Worse still, we have a Labour Party offering no real alternative – we need the full powers of independence to secure the robust healthcare system we all want to see.”