Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton Constituency, has demanded action to protect patients as new statistics have revealed a collapse in the number of planned operations in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

New figures have revealed a catastrophic fall in the number of planned operations in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde raising fears that many patients are unable to access crucial services.

The statistics show that in November 2020 there were only 4,139 planned operations in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, a drop of 38.8% compared to the comparable number for November 2019.

Of these planned operations, 334 were eventually cancelled, 116 due to hospital capacity or non-clinical reasons.

With the pandemic placing great strain on the NHS, Jackie Baillie has demanded that the Health Secretary takes action to prevent patients in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde missing out on vital treatment.

Commenting Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“We simply cannot have the people of Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven, Helensburgh & Lomond missing out on vital medical treatment due to the failings of the Scottish Government.

“Scotland is still deep in the midst of the pandemic, but we cannot allow the SNP to use this as an excuse for failing to properly support the NHS in its time of need.

“SNP ministers have not acted quickly enough to rollout testing and maintain Covid safe wards, and this has undermined NHS capacity and recovery planning.

“It’s time for the Scottish Government to act to prevent local people from missing out on health care.

“Scottish Labour is calling on the SNP to do all within its power to support our NHS and to ensure that health boards have the staffing and resources that they need: This is not just what local people deserve, it’s what they should be entitled to.”