Health Secretary has welcomed progress in
reducing waiting lists at NHS Lothian as he confirmed the health
board will be allocated an additional £22 million for the year
ahead - as part of a £106 million investment across the NHS to
tackle the longest waits.
Latest figures show a 14% decrease last year in inpatient/daycase
waits for all specialties at NHS Lothian – down from 26,462 at 31
March 2024 to 22,762 at 31 March 2025.
The reduction in ongoing waits was driven by reductions in:
- General surgery -19.6%
- Gynaecology -20.6%
- Orthopaedics -17.9%
- Urology -27.9%
On a visit to the Day Surgery Unit at the Edinburgh Royal
Infirmary, the Health Secretary met with staff and patients and
saw first-hand the positive impact Scottish Government investment
is having on waits. The Day Surgery Unit carries out 30 - 40
scheduled procedures every day – this helps allow patients to
leave for home from 2pm onwards with a focus on same day
discharge.
A huge variety of procedures are performed with patients from a
mix of five specialties, including gynaecology, general surgery,
vascular, neurosurgery and orthopaedics. Last year, around 4,500
procedures were carried out by the Unit.
Mr Gray said:
“This government is focussed on taking the action needed to cut
waiting lists and we are determined to make it easier, faster and
fairer for patients to get access to the treatment they need.
“I was pleased to meet the team at the Royal Infirmary's Day
Surgery Unit who are carrying out fantastic work to help target
long waits and making significant progress. We want to
build on this success and drive that improvement across Scotland
– our additional investment of £106 million support this work
across all health boards.
“Figures published today show monthly A&E performance at its
best since July 2023 and delayed discharge at its lowest since
October 2023. Our plan to improve our NHS is working and we will
build on this progress by increasing capacity and investing to
tackle the longest waits to ensure patients get faster access to
care.”
Background
£106 million to reduce
waiting times - gov.scot
Stage of treatment waiting
times - Inpatients, day cases quarter ending 31 March 2025 -
Publications - Public Health Scotland
