Hospital waiting times across the Highlands surge during Covid-19 pandemic, figures reveal as MSP flags 'real concern'
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Hospital waiting times in the Highlands have spiralled by more than 75 per cent during the pandemic, according to new figures.
The increase has been described “of real concern” by Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston.
According to the latest statistics from Public Health Scotland the numbers waiting for both outpatient and inpatient appointments has risen sharply across the Highlands.
In the Highland region the number of outpatients waiting for a hospital appointment at the end of the month rose by 77.6 per cent between March 2020 and December 2021.
Outstanding inpatient/day case appointments also rose by 26.7 per cent over the same period.
According to the statistics there were 18,475 patients waiting to be seen in December last year compared with 10,404 in March 2020.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “These figures are of real concern as they show a health service that is, despite the remarkable efforts of staff, under very great pressure.
“We all understand the impact of the Covid pandemic and, since these figures were collected in December, hopefully there may have been an improvement. But reducing waiting lists must be a focus of the Scottish Government.
“It should be a priority for Nicola Sturgeon and her beleaguered Health Secretary, Humza Yousaf. Unfortunately, all too often, we are left with the very strong impression that the First Minister’s political priorities lie elsewhere.
“Our NHS staff work wonders but they cannot be expected to work miracles. And they certainly can’t be expected to drive down these waiting times without the proper resources and full attention of the Scottish Government.”
Both the Scottish Government and NHS Highland have been approached for comment.
