In this week's Community Column, Conservative MSP Maurice Corry praised the NHS and the work the staff do.

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Last week saw the 70th anniversary of the NHS. I was proud to be a part of these celebrations and show my continued support, within Parliament and at the Vale of Leven.

The health service has provided a wonderful network of support and care for people throughout the country, through harder times and good.

As time has gone on, the needs and demands on the service change as medicines and techniques develop.

Most of us at some stage will use the NHS, so investment is hugely important, but proper and effective management to eliminate waste is just as vital.

More funding is the easy answer, but is not sustainable going forward as it creates further waste and we would end up in the same position again.

The same could be said for every public service. Budgets being spent because “if you don’t use it you lose it”, companies over-charging for services because they know the health service will pay up, and health boards competing with each other due to differences in budget demands – creating issues such as we have seen with the Vale of Leven out-of-hours GP service – are just a few examples of areas where further regulation to minimise over-spending is needed, to ensure NHS funding is used for medical staff, facilities and equipment.

Our NHS is a wonderful service, provided by wonderful people, and we as a nation can’t thank them enough for the work they do.

We have been truly spoiled this summer with some great weather, but this too brings risks. The roads have become exceptionally busy, and as many will have seen, there have sadly been a number of serious accidents. Please be patient on the roads and don’t take unnecessary risks.

There have also been tragic accidents on Loch Lomond in the last few days.

Please be careful, wherever you are, and I wish you all a fantastic and safe summer.