Rachael Hamilton MSP is urging SNP Health Secretary Humza Yousaf “not to forget” about musculoskeletal patients in NHS Borders.
Mrs Hamilton’s call comes after new statistics showed that over half of musculoskeletal patients were not seen within the target of four weeks.
Musculoskeletal conditions affect joints, bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, tendon sheaths, bursa and muscles.
Across Scotland, almost 30,000 patients’ wait to be seen, exceeded four weeks, including 577 patients in the Borders. A further 202 waited longer than 16 weeks to be seen.
Mrs Hamilton says this is adding to the pain endured by patients and that something must be done about it.
The Borders MSP added that the SNP’s record on ensuring musculoskeletal patients were seen in time was already poor even prior to the pandemic.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“Our NHS is under pressure right now, and our hardworking NHS staff are working flat out to help clear the backlog and deal with the additional issues of the pandemic.
“They deserve the right resources from the SNP Government to cope with treating musculoskeletal conditions within the target time.
“Far too many patients with musculoskeletal conditions in the Borders are waiting too long to be seen.
“These conditions are often extremely painful, and many patients are having to wait unacceptably long for treatment.
“Even prior to the pandemic, the SNP weren’t meeting these targets. Patients with debilitating conditions are facing waits of months, never mind weeks, to be seen.
“We need to see Health Minister Humza Yousaf outline an urgent plan to ensure patients are treated as soon as possible in NHS Borders”.
Notes:
Borders: 58.8% waited longer than 4 weeks (577 patients) A further 202 patients waited longer than 16 weeks.
