WITH some justification, we tend to point out that the NHS, for all of its flaws, is far superior to the healthcare system in the U.S.

It may not be perfect, but it does in theory provide a cradle-to-grave service that is free at the point of access — you won’t go bankrupt if you get sick.

But consider the critical condition of the Scottish NHS in the 21st century, where new guidelines mean patients will be ‘re-directed’ away from overwhelmed A&E departments, and told to go to the chemist or the GP instead (good luck with that).

It’s now the National Diversion Service, a dynamic new re-brand under the auspices of a Health Secretary who appears hopelessly out of his depth.