Highlands and Islands MSP wants urgent plan for patients in chronic pain

Donald Cameron MSP, the Tories' health spokesman, says a plan needs to be put in place as soon as possible.

Mr Cameron, the Scottish Conservatives’ health spokesperson, made the call after new figures showed that over half of patients waiting to be seen for the first time were having to wait beyond 18 weeks, the highest percentage in five years.

Over 2,100 patients are now time failing to be seen for the first time within the Scottish Government’s own target waiting time of 18 weeks.

Last month it was revealed that some patients in Scotland have had to travel to England for vital operations.

Mr Cameron said the situation was leaving many in agony and was “threatening to spiral out of control unless SNP Ministers urgently outline how the backlog will be tackled”.

“Thousands of patients, here in the Highlands and Islands, and across Scotland, are now waiting in agony for vital treatment to tackle chronic illnesses and the need for urgent action has never been more apparent,” he said.

“While it was understandable the number of patients being seen dropped during the height of the pandemic, Jeane Freeman must urgently outline a plan as to how patients waiting for vital operations will be treated as quickly as possible.

“We have seen unacceptable situations of patients from Scotland having to travel to England for treatment and that simply cannot be allowed to continue.

“With health services up and running again, the SNP need to make tackling chronic pain a top priority and end the painful wait for so many patients right across Scotland.”