NHS Scotland Waiting Lists Reach Record High
More than 690,000 people are waiting for non-urgent care in NHS Scotland, with over 7,000 waiting more than two years. Despite a £30 million government initiative to reduce these times, targets are not being met. The Scottish government plans to open 10 national treatment centres by 2026 to address the backlog, but only three are currently operational.
NHS waiting lists in Scotland have hit a record high according to the latest figures from Public Health Scotland.
As of 31 March, over 690,000 individuals were waiting for appointments or treatment for non-urgent care.
Of these, 534,178 were outpatient waits—a 10% increase from last year.
There were also 156,108 waits for in-patient treatment, marking a 5.8% rise from last year.
Despite the Scottish government allocating £30 million to reduce waiting times, targets such as eradicating two-year waits are yet to be met, with over 7,000 people still waiting that long.
Additionally, there are over 37,761 individuals waiting more than 12 months.
The Scottish government plans to open 10 national treatment centres by 2026 to address the backlog, but so far only three are operational.
Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray and opposition leaders have acknowledged the severity of the issue, calling for increased efforts to bring down waiting times.
As of 31 March, over 690,000 individuals were waiting for appointments or treatment for non-urgent care.
Of these, 534,178 were outpatient waits—a 10% increase from last year.
There were also 156,108 waits for in-patient treatment, marking a 5.8% rise from last year.
Despite the Scottish government allocating £30 million to reduce waiting times, targets such as eradicating two-year waits are yet to be met, with over 7,000 people still waiting that long.
Additionally, there are over 37,761 individuals waiting more than 12 months.
The Scottish government plans to open 10 national treatment centres by 2026 to address the backlog, but so far only three are operational.
Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray and opposition leaders have acknowledged the severity of the issue, calling for increased efforts to bring down waiting times.