An MSP has urged the Scottish Government to fix a huge ‘log-jam’ of operations in NHS Ayrshire and Arran with patients “lying in agony”.
Newly-elected MSP Sharon Dowey, who represents South Scotland Region, says SNP ministers must take immediate action to deal with a pile up of surgeries due to the Covid pandemic.
The Tory politician has hit out after latest health numbers show a 59 per-cent decrease in operations carried out within the health board compared to last year.
New statistics from Public Health Scotland show that in April 2021, 677 operations took place which was down on the 1,653 that took place in February 2020.
Ms Dowey has warned that Ayrshire and Arran faces a "mountain to climb" to get back on track
Ms Dowey said: “We must see the SNP’s new health secretary urgently outline a plan to tackle the treatment log-jam that has built up during the pandemic in Ayrshire and Arran to guarantee patients are seen as soon as possible.
“Many of these patients are waiting lying in agony and cannot wait a moment longer to be seen.”
Health secretary Humza Yousaf has vowed to produce a detailed NHS Recovery Plan within the first 100 days in office.
The Recovery Plan will aim to increase “inpatient, day case, and outpatient activity by 10 per cent above pre-COVID levels.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are working with health boards to get those who have had treatments or procedures postponed due to COVID-19 the care they need as quickly as possible."
As part of the plan, NHS Ayrshire and Arran will have an early cancer diagnostic centre established.
Ayrshire health bosses say they are working to resume services in the safest possible way to maintain COVID-19 safety, capacity and resilience.
Professor Hazel Borland, nurse director and deputy chief executive at NHS Ayrshire & Arran said: "The entire health and care system in Ayrshire and Arran has experienced the impact of the pandemic over the past 15 months, and our staff have worked tirelessly to provide care to our patients in the safest way possible.
"Unfortunately, there have been a number of patients who have had to wait for treatment, and we apologise to any patient who has to wait longer than would have normally been the case."
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