NHS Scotland patients waiting more than 78 weeks for treatment skyrockets
THE number of patients waiting more than 78 weeks for treatment in Scotland has rocketed to 38,070 while in England the figure has halved to just 1154.
The shocking statistic means 33 times more people are being forced to endure excruciating long delays north of the Border.
It comes as NHS England launches a 10-year recovery plan along with plans for an updated app allowing patients to book appointment and even visit an 'AI doctor'.
Dr Zubir Ahmed, a surgeon turned Labour MP for Glasgow South West, said: 'After a 20 year career as a surgeon in the NHS – the majority of it working in Govan – I have seen the Scottish NHS at its best and now at its worst.
'Scotland's NHS has seen the 31-day and 62-day cancer waiting times standards missed, 860,000 Scots are stuck on NHS waiting lists for tests with a third considering private treatment.
'In the words of the esteemed chair of the BMA Dr Iain Kennedy, 'the figures show that the NHS is dying before our very eyes'.
'The NHS is dying despite more staff working ever harder and more money being spent on it than ever before.
'The frustrating part for me as someone who has worked in the NHS all my adult life is the solutions to these challenges lie within the NHS but in Scotland, we don't have a government that has the desire or will to change direction.'
Ahmed has called for a greater use of technology to help drive up performance.
He added: 'The UK Labour government will deliver a single patient digital health record controlled by the patient and accessible to any health professional that you want to see it.
'There will be neighbourhood health centres with advanced diagnostics capability open 12 hours a day, six days a week.
'The 10-year plan would mean an NHS in your pocket with a turbocharged NHS app to book and check appointments, interact with specialists who care for you and an AI enabled doctor next to you.
'While being able to contribute to this revolution excites me, it frustrates me too because, in the Scottish NHS, we remain on a different path of managed decline.
'We continue to churn analogue solutions for a digital age, burden staff with more administration and keep patients more and more at arm's length from their own healthcare information.
'There is no Scottish NHS app, no proper workforce plan and no strategy on how to embrace technology and no desire to learn the lessons how to do it better from other parts of the country. '
Scottish Labour Health spokesperson Jackie Baillie added: 'Scotland's NHS is fighting for survival but the SNP is flat out of ideas. Elsewhere in the UK, people will benefit from falling NHS waiting lists, a cutting-edge NHS app and a comprehensive recovery plan.
'If the SNP was capable of fixing the crisis in our NHS, it would have done it by now. Our NHS might not survive a third decade of SNP government.'
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Latest figures 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.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
25 minutes ago
- BBC News
Service gaps at Skye's Portree Hospital being tackled, says health secretary Gray
Health Secretary Neil Gray says the Scottish government is working with NHS Highland to maintain 24/7 urgent non-emergency care in north said the majority of improvements recommended by an independent review seven years ago had been met at Portree Community he added issues around staff recruitment and retention had caused some inconsistencies and gaps in group Skye SOS said further improvements were needed, including patients being able to turn up at the hospital and not have to call NHS 24 first. Two emergency incidents in Portree in May last year put a spotlight on islanders' concerns about health services in north Skye.A 49-year-old woman died after becoming unwell and another woman, Eilidh Beaton, was helped by coastguard and RNLI volunteers after she suffered a severe allergic Beaton become ill just a few hundred yards from Portree Community Hospital, but it was closed at the of those who went to her aid tried to get help at the hospital, but could not get a response by banging on the locked both incidents were medical emergencies, campaigners said it highlighted a lack of progress in meeting recommended improvements in urgent non-emergency care at the community Thomson, of Skye SOS, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme on Monday there continued to be confusion over what was available in said: "The experience of people attending is that no-one really gets treated there because very often there aren't qualified advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) on site." Ms Thomson said some patients were frustrated by having to make calls via NHS 24, and in some cases being redirected to Broadford Hospital, a two-hour journey from some parts of north Skye. Gray, who visited Portree on Monday, said he understood that some islanders might not feel like improvements had been told BBC Scotland News: "We will continue to work with NHS Highland to do everything possible to get to the point of being able to meet those expectations of the local community, because I very much recognise their feelings."The health secretary said more advanced nurse practitioners - nurses who have completed extra training and academic qualifications - were coming through the said: "We expect that will assist in providing greater consistency."Gray said medical emergencies were handled by a different provision of care than was available at said he was confident there was Scottish Ambulance Service cover to deal with Highland nurse director Louise Bussell said recruiting and retaining staff was always a challenge, and more work was needed at told BBC Naidheachdan: "We are in a good place, but we want to get to a better place."Ms Bussell said a new team leader and ANPs had been successfully recruited to an "enthusiastic team" at said calling NHS 24 on 111 remained the safest option for patients so they could be directed to the right care and treatment."Ultimately, they might need 999 and emergency care, or could go to a pharmacist," she said.
BBC News
28 minutes ago
- BBC News
Somerset man who lost leg to smoking urges people not to start
A man who had to have his leg amputated after smoking for 50 years has said that picking up cigarettes is "never worth it".Cliff Hopkins, from Wells in Somerset, said he smoked two pouches of tobacco per week before deciding to quit smoking five months ago after blocked arteries led to him losing his 26,000 people in the South West have pledged to stop smoking in the past year, according to NHS figures, up from 15,000 the year before."It's down to you as a person, you've got to want to give it up. I thought to myself, I've lost a leg and I don't want to lose another one," Mr Hopkins said. "You think it's not going to happen to you. But it does happen and it has for me."I've got a synthetic leg and I'm learning to walk on that. I'm getting there slowly. I'll be back running before long, hopefully."He added that five months without having a cigarette has made "a massive difference, for health and wealth"."Don't do it, it's never worth it," he said. "Think of the cost. For me, the cost is one of the major things."You could do so much more good for yourself with that money rather than buying cigarettes." Public health specialist at Somerset Council Kate Anderson said statistics showed smokers are spending an average of £2,500 a year on cigarettes."Just in Somerset alone, we've seen people who are using food banks to fund their tobacco," she she added, some people who have quit smoking have been able to use the money they have saved for things like family Ms Anderson also said she knows giving up smoking can be difficult. Mr Hopkins attends a weekly meeting in Glastonbury, which is run by the council and supports people who want to quit."That little meeting is crucial, very much so. It is difficult to give up, it's really hard, if you've smoked for as long as I have," Mr Hopkins Bell, director of Public Health at Somerset Council, said she believes more people are quitting because the government is investing in local services to help them, which includes the weekly meetings Mr Hopkins attends."What we've seen in Somerset is we have the highest quit rate in the South West," Ms Bell said.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots households warned to ‘keep windows firmly shut' this week – here's why
Plus, five tips on how you can keep flying ants out of your home PESKY CRITTERS Scots households warned to 'keep windows firmly shut' this week – here's why Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTS are being warned to close windows as we face "flying ant week" - when swarms of airborne insects invade our homes. Dr Nathaniel Green, an insect behavioural specialist, told folk to prepare for the annual onslaught. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Flying Ant Day is when flying ants swarm for mating Credit: Getty 2 It typically occurs in mid-to-late July and early August Credit: Getty It comes as weather conditions are "lining up perfectly" for the winged beasties. He said: "Warm temperatures, high humidity and still air create the ideal launchpad for millions of winged queens and males to take flight. "When the weather hits that sweet spot, it's like a signal for ants everywhere to take to the air at once." Dr Green added: "Afternoons will be the main time to watch out or keep your windows firmly shut." His comments came in response to a new report by wallpaper, name label and sticker firm The new report warned filthy windows were "a magnet" for the aerial critters. It said: "Flying ants aren't dangerous, but they're not exactly welcome guests when they drift inside, and dirty windows could be inviting them in." Dr Green added: "Smears and dust on glass can reflect light in a way that draws insects closer. "Add in pollen or organic residue, and you've basically got an insect buffet. "Cleaning your windows before the swarms hit will make your home far less attractive to them." From worm bread to mealworm kebabs... could eating bugs and insects in everyday food be the future? The expert said flying ant week was just that, and only lasted "a few days". He added: "Males die soon after mating and fertilised queens land to start new colonies. "However, those few days can be enough to leave your kitchen or lounge buzzing with unwanted visitors." The report added: "The advice is simple - give your windows a proper clean, keep them closed during peak swarm hours and brace for a few days in mid-August when the UK could be under insect invasion. "With a bit of preparation, you can enjoy the summer warmth without sharing it with hundreds of winged intruders."
