In a meeting with representatives from the health and social care sector at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Swinney, joined by Health Secretary Neil Gray, also unveiled plans for more investment in primary care.
He said: ‘Our plan will ensure that a greater proportion of new NHS investment goes to primary and community care. GPs and services in the community will have the resources they need to play a greater role in our health system.
‘This increased investment will result in GP services that are easier for people to access. That is important in terms of people's confidence in the health service – but equally, it will make it more likely that health issues are picked up quickly and dealt with earlier.'
He added: ‘The changes we propose – including an enhanced regional delivery model, alongside increased levels of activity in our National Treatment Centres – will deliver over 150,000 extra appointments and procedures – in hospitals, in communities – in the coming year.'
This includes 10,000 extra procedures through smarter working in the National Treatment Centres, Swinney said.
Other sites – including Gartnavel, Inverclyde, Stracathro, Perth Royal Infirmary and Queen Margaret Hospital – will deliver 9,500 extra cataract procedures. As well as 2,500 extra orthopaedic appointments and procedures, he said.
Swinney added: ‘In this way, we will create centres of excellence, places of expertise and specialisation, where we will be better placed to capitalise on the technological innovation and the potential of AI. And we will cut our waiting lists.'
The plan also involves the improved use of data and new digital innovations including the roll-out of a Scottish health and social care app – a ‘Digital Front Door' to the NHS for patients.
In response, Unison Scotland co-lead for health Matt McLaughlin, said: 'Patients and staff need action from John Swinney now. Promises of ‘jam tomorrow' won't solve the many critical problems the NHS is facing today.
'The NHS has a staffing crisis. NHS workers need to know how the government will fill vacancies, improve pay, transform social care and give better patient care.'
