More than 105,500 appointments and procedures were delivered by
health boards last year through an additional £30 million of
targeted investment –exceeding a pledge to carry
out 64,000 appointments by the end of March 2025.
The funding was targeted at the longest waits and, as seen in
latest published data, there have been reductions in waiting
lists across a number of specialities. Between March 2024 and
December 2024 there has been:
- a 71% decrease in waits for Scopes at NHS Ayrshire &
Arran
- a 52% decrease in Imaging waits at NHS Fife
- a 28% decrease in Ophthalmology waits at NHS Lothian
- a 23% decrease in Urology waits at NHS Lanarkshire
- a 10% decrease in Orthopaedic waits at NHS Highland.
Latest published statistics also show improved waiting times
performance with diagnostic waits at their lowest since October
2021.
In April 2024 the Scottish Government funded NHS boards to
deliver 64,000 procedures (40,000 diagnostic procedures, 12,000
surgeries and 12,000 new outpatient appointments) by the end of
the year. By March 2025, 10,700 surgeries and 15,800 outpatients
appointments were delivered. Almost 79,000 diagnostic procedures
took place – delivering almost double the original pledge of
40,000.
Health Secretary said:
“We have delivered on our promise, exceeding our original target
of 64,000 by more than 41,000 procedures – we have carried out
nearly double the amount of diagnostic procedures originally
pledged, with diagnostic waits now at the their lowest since
October 2021. This is testament to hard work and dedication of
our NHS staff and I thank them for their outstanding efforts.
“This is welcome progress and shows we are moving in the right
direction. But we know many people are still waiting too
long and we are determined do more. That is why we are investing
record amounts in our health service, targeting waiting list
backlogs and delivering 150,000 additional appointments.
“This government is focussed on taking the action needed to cut
waiting lists and make it easier for patients to get access to
the treatment they need. Next week the First Minister will
publish our Programme for Government, setting out how we will
build on recent progress and further reduce patient waits in the
year ahead.”
Background
This is an update on progress previously reported in February
this year - Pledge on waiting times
exceeded - gov.scot
Written question and
answer: S6W-37418 | Scottish Parliament Website
