Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP for Central Scotland, Graham Simpson, says more urgency must be given to treating patients with musculoskeletal conditions in the region.
Mr Simpson’s call comes after new figures showed that more than 45% of patients needing treatment waited over four weeks to be seen after being referred across Scotland.
The SNP’s target is for 90% of patients to be seen within four weeks, but in NHS Lanarkshire only 27.3% were seen within that timeframe.
In addition to this, 759 patients waited over six months to be seen.
Graham Simpson MSP says far too many patients are suffering in agony, with the SNP’s Health Secretary failing to have a proper plan in place to treat them as quickly as possible.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP, Graham Simpson said: “These figures are simply not good enough.
“Patients in Lanarkshire who are suffering with musculoskeletal conditions will often be in constant pain. They need reassurance that appointments will be offered as quickly as possible.
“While far too many are waiting more than a month to be seen by NHS Lanarkshire, it is simply disgraceful the number who have waited six months to be seen.
“These problems predate the pandemic, yet there is not enough urgency from the SNP to resolve them.
“Patients cannot continue to suffer like this. Humza Yousaf must give NHS Lanarkshire the resources they need so patients can be seen as quickly as possible in relation to their musculoskeletal conditions.”
Notes:
- The full figures for musculoskeletal waiting times are here: https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/allied-health-professionals-musculoskeletal-waiting-times-in-nhsscotland/allied-health-professionals-musculoskeletal-waiting-times-in-nhsscotland-quarter-ending-31-march-2022/
