Brian Whittle MSP is challenging the Scottish Government to “get its act together” as it emerged that well over half a million people across Scotland are currently on an NHS waiting list.
The South Scotland MSP made the comments following the latest statistics from Public Health Scotland which showed that over 538,000 people in Scotland are now on a waiting list and that figure continues to rise with the latest reports suggesting the current number is now over 600,00. That includes over 400,000 waiting for an outpatient appointment and almost 120,000 who are inpatients or day-cases.
The Scottish Conservative MSP is concerned that delays in clearing these waiting lists could harm patients’ recovery and even put lives at risk.
In NHS Ayrshire & Arran, the number of people waiting for an outpatient appointment has risen by 85% since the pandemic began in March 2020, although it has fallen very slightly since September 2021. Inpatient waiting lists have also risen significantly – up 76% since the start of the pandemic and up by 13% since September last year.
Brian described the size of the waiting lists as “completely unacceptable” and urged Health Secretary Humza Yousaf to take the situation more seriously.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Waiting lists this size are completely unacceptable and the Scottish Government needs to be doing more to bring them down.
The pandemic has put enormous pressure on the NHS but as we hopefully see it finally subsiding, it’s vital we clear this patient backlog as quickly as possible.
Long waiting times mean unnecessary stress and discomfort for patients. Delays to diagnosis and treatment can slow a patient’s recovery and even put lives at risk.
If the Scottish Government don’t get a grip of this situation now, the consequences for patients could be devastating.”
