Local MSP Brian Whittle is voicing his concern as figures emerged suggesting NHS Ayrshire & Arran has the longest waiting times of any health board in Scotland for patients dealing with chronic pain.
According to the stats, in the most recent period, 154 patients waited more than a year before their appointment. That contrasts with March last year where no-one had a wait of more than 39 weeks. The SNP Government waiting time target says patients should be seen within 18 weeks but in Ayrshire & Arran, only 5 were.
With many NHS services restarting after the pandemic, Brian wants to see the Scottish Government focussing on those who have been waiting the longest, as well as those who need care most urgently.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“For patients living with chronic pain, being told you’ll have to wait a year or more for treatment is a kick in the teeth.
While the pandemic has restricted some services, we need to prioritise getting the waiting times down for conditions like chronic pain to protect patients physical and mental health.
It’s particularly concerning to me that Ayrshire & Arran have such poor waiting time figures and I’ll be urging the Scottish Government to work with them to speed up access to treatment.”
