SNP and Tories clash over NHS Grampian waiting times
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NHS Grampian has highlighted issues in recruiting specialist staff and nurses, while the Conservatives and the SNP are at odds over failure to meet waiting time targets.
Figures from ISD Scotland show 47.3 per cent of patients were treated within 12 weeks during the first three months of 2019. That is below the national average of 68.4 per cent, and down from 57.5 per cent on the last three months of 2018.
NHS Grampian acknowledged targets were not being met, with Conservative MSP for the Highlands and Islands Jamie Halcro Johnston saying the results were an "utter failure". Richard Lochhead, SNP MSP, pointed to satisfaction rates being higher in Scotland than Tory-led England and Wales.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: "This is a terrible indictment of the SNP's utter failure to get on top of waiting times.
"After 12 years of Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP, more than 50 per cent of people in the NHS Grampian area are failing to be seen on time.
"Even more concerning is that things seem to be getting worse. And these most recent figures are actually the worst since the treatment time guarantee was issued. Communities in Moray deserve better from those who represent them."
Responding to comments from Mr Halcro Johnston, Richard Lochhead, SNP MSP, compared Scotland to the rest of the United Kingdom – as well as highlighting investment in the health service.
"The Scottish Government has invested an extra £729 million in health and social care services across the country this year and NHS Grampian has benefited from the increased spending," he said.
"In fact, health spending in Scotland is at a record high under the SNP and patient satisfaction is higher here than in England, where the Tories are in charge."
Mr Lochhead added that he would be meeting NHS Grampian's Chief Executive this week and waiting times is a top priority for discussions.
A spokesperson for NHS Grampian admitted targets were not being met, but made clear those with the most need are seen to first.
"We are committed to meeting the waiting times targets and acknowledge our current performance falls short of that for some patients. This is due to issues in recruiting to some specialist medical and nursing vacancies.
"We would like to reassure people that patients are always assessed based on their clinical need and those with urgent requirements are always seen first."
