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NHS waiting lists for treatment in Scotland grow by 87%

ALMOST 780,000 Scots found themselves on an NHS waiting list for an appointment, treatment or test in the last quarter, from December to March, new figures show.

The figures from Public Health Scotland today also reveal that waiting lists for treatment have grown by 87 per cent since the beginning of Covid-19 lockdowns.

Scottish Labour placed responsibility for the soaring figures on SNP leader Humza Yousaf, who was formerly Scotland’s health secretary before becoming First Minister.

Scottish Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie said: “It should worry us all that the First Minister left behind such a catastrophic legacy as health secretary.

“Despite the tireless efforts of NHS staff, record numbers of Scots are stuck languishing on NHS waiting lists and thousands have been left anxious and in pain for over a year. 

“Blame for this national emergency lies squarely with Humza Yousaf and his failed NHS recovery plan, which saw waiting lists spiral after the pandemic.

“[New Health Minister] Michael Matheson must fix the mess he inherited and deliver a real plan to help our NHS recover from the damage inflicted first by the pandemic and then by his predecessor.”

Public Health Scotland said the bulk of the people on the lists — 479,725 — were waiting for an outpatient appointment on March 31, up 0.5 per cent from December 31 and 14.5 per cent higher than the same date last year.

A Scottish government target aims to ensure 95 per cent of patients are seen within 12 weeks.

Mr Matheson said the impact of the pandemic, which led to “the worst winter in the history of the NHS,” must be recognised.

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