12 March 2019

The SNP government’s failure to properly resource our NHS has left more than 1,500 patients in chronic pain waiting longer than 18-weeks for an appointment, official figures show.

Between 1 October and 31 December 2018, 821 people who were seen waited more than 18-weeks for their first appointment whilst a further 714 patients were still waiting at the end of the quarter over the targeted time.

A total of 1,526 patients waited longer than they should have during the period.

Almost 30 per cent (29.2 per cent) of all patients who were seen within the period waited longer than they should have, up from 27.6 per cent in the previous quarter.

Scottish Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Health, Monica Lennon MSP, said:

“One patient left in chronic pain for more than 18-weeks is too many - for more than 1,500 Scots to be left to suffer is nothing short of a national scandal.

“Each week brings us fresh statistics underlining the struggle our NHS faces under the SNP bit behind these numbers are real people left in chronic pain as they wait to get the treatment they deserve.

“Scottish Labour would use the powers of the Scottish Parliament to properly resource our NHS and implement a workforce plan that would ensure our wards and clinics are adequately staffed to give patients the care they deserve.”



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