He will also set a target of an additional 150,000 appointments and procedures per year, as well as enhanced use of digital innovations, including a health and social care app, something already widely used by the NHS south of the border.
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The vow comes at a tough time for the health service.
A recent BMA Scotland survey revealed that 99% of doctors are worried about the impact of increased pressures on the NHS, while 98% said they have no or little confidence in the Scottish Government to put the NHS on a sustainable footing.
A key issue is the backlog in elective care, which has ballooned since the start of the pandemic. By the end of 2023, there were 667,749 referrals on the waiting list, a 73.1% increase in four years.
A recent study in the Lancet by researchers at the University of Edinburgh suggests that a 20% increase in capacity is needed over three years to eliminate the backlog.
Delayed discharge is a significant factor contributing to the pressures on the NHS. A lack of social care capacity means patients who are ready to be discharged are forced to stay, taking up beds that could otherwise be used.
According to Labour, on any given day, around 2,000 Scots are stuck in hospital, despite being cleared to leave.
In his speech, Mr Swinney is expected to say: “Protecting, strengthening, renewing our NHS – that is a goal I think we can all get behind. A real focus of common purpose.
“That requires action from me, as First Minister, from my Health Secretary Neil Gray, and from my government. We can offer the leadership and direction – as the measures outlined today seek to do.
“So, today, we commit to a substantial increase in capacity in order to significantly reduce people’s waits.”
The First Minister will add that giving more money to GPs should make an impact further down the line.
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.
“Our National Health Service is there when we need it. No other public institution supports us with so much care through life’s biggest moments. We must support it in return.
“The approach I set out today charts our course to do that. It addresses both the challenges and the opportunities. It sets the NHS on a path of modernisation and renewal.”
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The Scottish Conservatives were sceptical. In his response Dr Sandesh Gulhane, the party’s health spokesperson, mocked Mr Swinney’s new self-coined nickname. In a recent interview with the Scottish Sun, the First Minister called himself “full-on John Swinney.”
Dr Gulhane said: “The First Minister’s vision is nothing more than a shameful rehash of failed SNP policies.
“We’ve had full-on John, can’t do John, and now we have ‘pull the other one John.’”
Dame Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour’s health spokesperson, said: “Any effort to improve Scots’ access to the NHS is welcome — it’s just a shame it’s taken the SNP nearly 18 years to take action.
“The UK Labour government delivered a record Budget settlement for Scotland so it is right that the Scottish Government increases appointment capacity.
“But with nearly one in six Scots on a waiting list and thousands stuck in hospital due to delayed discharge, there is no quick fix.
“The SNP government must tackle the crisis in social care and NHS recruitment to get our NHS running smoothly again, yet the SNP has presided over a failed National Care Service Bill while NHS workers are voting with their feet.”
Unison Scotland’s 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.”
