A SCOTTISH Labour minister has been slammed after making a "misleading" claim about Scotland's NHS.
Michael Shanks, the UK Government's Energy Minister and MP for Rutherglen, made the claim after Keir Starmer announced the abolition of NHS England to “cut bureaucracy” and bring management of the health service “back into democratic control”.
NHS England employs around 13,000 staff. The UK Government said work would begin “immediately” to return many of NHS England’s functions to the Department of Health and Social Care.
In a post on Twitter/X on Thursday, Shanks claimed there were 50 health boards in Scotland – when there are actually 14.
He said: "Bold reform in England, meanwhile in Scotland we have 50 health boards for a population of 5 million.
"Less bureaucracy, more healthcare professionals treating patients is what we need. This is why @AnasSarwar's plan for radical reform of Scotland's NHS is so important."
Bold reform in England, meanwhile in Scotland we have 50 health boards for a population of 5 million. Less bureaucracy, more healthcare professionals treating patients is what we need. This is why @AnasSarwar's plan for radical reform of Scotland's NHS is so important. https://t.co/1vZrVRV8tE
— Michael Shanks MP (@mgshanks) March 13, 2025
The 14 health boards in Scotland are: NHS Ayrshire & Arran; NHS Borders; NHS Dumfries & Galloway; NHS Fife; NHS Forth Valley; NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde; NHS Highland; NHS Lanarkshire; NHS Lothian; NHS Orkney; NHS Shetland; NHS Tayside, and NHS Western Isles.
In addition to the regional health boards, there are also seven special NHS boards which support the regional boards in providing specialist services, and one public health body.
Scottish Labour has previously said that their figure of 50 health boards "includes 31 integrated authorities, 14 territorial boards, and 8 national boards."
The SNP shared Shanks' tweet, saying: "NHS Scotland has 14 health boards - not 50. You’d think a Scottish MP would know this."
🔎 NHS Scotland has 14 health boards - not 50. You’d think a Scottish MP would know this. https://t.co/BEHwpVRgbf
— The SNP Media (@theSNPMedia) March 14, 2025
His claim was dubbed as "misleading" by one social media user.
Another commented: "anas sarwar's plan to reduce those 50 health boards will be greatly assisted by the fact that only 14 of them exist."
And another added: "Are the 50 Scottish health boards in the room with us right now?"
