New figures have revealed that 84 per cent of patients in NHS Ayrshire and Arran waited more than a year for treatment at a chronic pain centre.
Latest figures from the Scottish Government’s data and intelligence division show that in the three months to 31 December 2020, 112 people were seen in total, with 84 per cent waiting over 52 weeks.
The number of referrals to pain clinics in the health board area was down by 58 per cent in December 2020, compared to the same period in 2019 (versus a Scottish average of 25 per cent).
COVID-19 meant many NHS clinics and appointments were cancelled during lockdown.
However, South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has expressed concern about the pressures this backlog will have on an NHS still dealing with the virus.
He said: “These figures are shocking. To wait more than a year for treatment at a chronic pain centre is completely unacceptable.
“The latest COVID-19 restrictions have meant that many NHS clinics and appointments have been postponed or cancelled while our fantastic NHS battled with the most recent upsurge in Covid cases.
“However, as more and more services restart, this backlog of patients will undoubtedly put more pressure on an NHS already under considerable strain from dealing with the ongoing pandemic.
“We also shouldn’t forget that chronic pain is a serious and life changing condition for many people and everything must be done to ensure these waiting times are driven down as quickly and safely as possible.”
Joanne Edwards, director of acute services at NHS Ayrshire & Arran, said efforts to make the 18-week referral target had been “challenging” but the organisation was “committed” to providing safe and effective health care and treatment in “as timely a way as possible.”
She continued: “The global coronavirus pandemic has had a significant impact on the capacity of the chronic pain service and we apologise to patients who are experiencing significant waiting times for this service.
“We have recently increased the number of face-to-face clinics the chronic pain team can undertake, alongside telephone consultations.
“A digital resource pack on our website is also available.
“We continually carry out enhanced clinical reviews of the waiting lists to ensure that appointments are prioritised based on clinical need.”
Public Health Minister Mairi Gougeon said the Scottish Government was determined to improve services for all affected.
She said: “As with other health boards, colleagues working in the Ayrshire and Arran pain service have been impacted by the pandemic with some staff redeployed to provide frontline urgent and essential Covid care.
“All patients added to the pain service waiting list are provided with a range of resources that can support them to manage their pain whilst they are awaiting treatment, and these have been continuously improved and updated during the pandemic.
“The Ayrshire & Arran chronic pain team continue to review patients on the waiting list and assess patients both remotely and in person.
“People whose circumstances have changed since they were added to the waiting list are advised to speak with their GP who will be able to provide advice and liaise with the pain service as needed.”
She added: “Chronic pain services remain a priority for the Scottish Government. We know that there is need for improvement and this year we will publish a new framework for chronic pain service delivery which is intended to improve access to care for people with chronic pain and deliver better health outcomes.”
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